Ouahigouya: The NGO Help and its partner, the National Federation of Naam Groups (FNGN), held an official handover ceremony for equipment and infrastructure aimed at supporting the communities of Ouahigouya and Oula in Yatenga province. The event was graced by the Secretary General of the Northern Region, Kuilga Albert Zongo.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the infrastructure and equipment were provided under the "Peace and Development for Displaced Populations and Vulnerable Hosts (PADEP)" and "Soonr©" projects. These initiatives by NGO Help are designed to enhance the resilience of vulnerable host populations, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and basic social services in the targeted communes. The projects also aim to improve the livelihoods of IDPs, returnees, and host populations.
With a budget exceeding 200 million CFA francs, the projects focus on improving access to basic social services, strengthening service provision, and enhancing the technical capacities of various local structures. Additionally, the projects aim to foster social cohesion between IDPs and host communities.
In Ouahigouya, the "Souli" public primary school in sector 1 benefited from an autonomous water station and support for its school garden. In sector 15, the Gourga Health and Social Promotion Center received new health infrastructure and medical-technical equipment.
In Oula, residents secured the construction of a leisure and social cohesion center and a mini drinking water supply for the village of Gourbar©.
Serge S©dogo, Country Director of NGO Help, highlighted that the official handovers are part of ongoing efforts to enhance health and educational infrastructures for 2024 and 2025. "All our actions contribute to increasing the resilience of host populations and displaced persons, returnees, and structures to boost their reception and care capacities," he stated.
Kuilga Marcel Zongo, speaking on behalf of the governor, expressed gratitude to Help for its contributions to the Northern Region. He also thanked the Federal Republic of Germany for its financial support in these projects.
The PADEP project operates in Dori, Kaya, and Ouahigouya, with a total budget of over 6 billion FCFA, fully funded by German cooperation.