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What happened, where and when?
Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to extreme rainfall and seasonal flooding, which continue to have severe humanitarian consequences each year. Since April 2024, several parts of the country have experienced flooding, with the most devastating incident occurring in Boulsa, located in Namentenga Province in the Centre-North region. On the night of 29 May 2024, the town of Boulsa was struck by torrential rains accompanied by violent winds between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., resulting in significant loss of life and extensive material damage. Seven individuals died—including three children under the age of ten, a 35-year-old woman, and a 50-year-old man—and 42 others sustained injuries. Among the injured, two children under the age of 15 required evacuation to Ouagadougou for specialized medical care. According to initial assessments as of 7 June, over 1,000 households were affected. This was later confirmed through detailed registration, which recorded a provisional total of 1,147 households—or 7,648 individuals—impacted by the floods. Additionally, 925 houses were either completely destroyed or severely damaged. Despite Burkina Faso’s existing national response capacities, the scale of the disaster exceeded local resources. On 13 June 2024, official data from the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) confirmed the scope of the impact and prompted local authorities to formally request support from the National Society. Emergency assistance was rapidly provided to the most affected households, including temporary shelters, essential household items, and psychosocial support. Most displaced families were able to return to their homes or were safely relocated. Coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners enabled the restoration of access to basic services in affected areas. The operation concluded with enhanced local preparedness and stronger community engagement in planning for future flood responses.