Burkina Faso Country Programme (2011-2018)

This operation has been modified as per budget revision 9.

In Burkina Faso, 40 percent of the population of 14 million live below the poverty line. Food insecurity affects 50 percent of households, and is increasing in the urban areas. The nutritional status of children under 5 remains a concern: prevalence of global acute malnutrition is above 10 percent and stunting nearly 30 percent.Child and maternal mortality are among the highest in the world.  Illiteracy is widespread, especially among women, and large regional disparities persist, particularly in primary school enrolment. 

The most food-insecure regions  – Sahel, North and East  – will be targeted with a view to reduce chronic food insecurity and support disaster prevention measures and emergency preparedness. The components of  country programme 200163 are:  i) support for primary education; ii) nutritional support for vulnerable groups; iii) support for the rural economy in the context of climate change; and iv) enhancing the agricultural sector through local procurement and support for food fortification and processing. The programme was defined together  with the Government and is  aligned with  the existing  national  programmes and priorities  identified  in the Government’s Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development 2011–2015 concept note. It will contribute to the first and second outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2011–2015), which aims to support pro-poor economic growth and the development of human capital. 

The CP addresses seven Millennium Development Goals and WFP Strategic Objectives 2, 4, and 5.

Cash transfers will account for 20 percent of WFP assistance. Market analyses and WFP’s experience in the voucher pilot in 2009–2010 indicate that  cash-based interventions should have a comparative advantage over food where market conditions are favourable. Cash transfers have been marginally more cost-efficient than food transfers and may be considered more effective in meeting objectives such as increasing dietary diversity. Cash interventions support the government policy of developing a social protection strategy and leveraging the private sector. 

The development of national capacities  to tackle food insecurity and undernutrition  is a cross-cutting element of the country programme, and it ensures gradual hand-over to the local and national authorities. The budget  is based on an estimate of regular contributions  and additional resources to be raised by the country office.