“There is no life without water.” These words hold deep meaning for Azeto Warma, a 70-year-old mother of four who, like many others, was forced to flee her home in Koumbri in 2022 due to insecurity.

“We left everything behind,” Azeto recounts. “Our homes were burned, our food and livestock were taken, and some of our loved ones lost their lives. We had no choice but to leave after repeated attacks.”

Azeto and her family sought refuge in the Ferme neighborhood of Ouahigouya, where they joined hundreds of other displaced families in search of safety and a new beginning. But survival came with its challenges, the most pressing of all was access to clean water.

“Our main struggle was water,” Azeto explains. “We had to walk long distances to fetch it, sometimes facing discrimination from people in nearby neighborhoods. It was painful, especially for the women and children.”

In 2023, hope arrived through the active solidarity of AIRD Burkina. Understanding the critical need for water, AIRD installed a borehole in the Ferme neighborhood, equipped with a solar panel and four taps, providing a reliable, sustainable source of clean water.

This single intervention brought about transformative change.

“Thanks to AIRD, our lives have improved. We now have clean water for cooking, cleaning, and taking care of our health. We no longer fear for our safety when fetching water.”

The borehole not only brought clean water, but it also brought dignity, peace of mind, and the beginning of recovery. For Azeto’s community, it eased daily struggles and reinforced their resilience amid displacement.

Water is life, and for the displaced families of Ouahigouya, AIRD’s support has been nothing short of life-saving