Burkina Faso and Niger are the focus countries for our resilience agenda in the Sahel. We coordinate all of our programs with the Government of Burkina Faso, other donors—particularly G7 member countries under the New Alliance for Nutrition and Food Security—and regional organizations such as the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

USAID builds the resilience of vulnerable rural residents by:

• Strengthening the institutions and governmental bodies meant to serve them,
• Improving their productive opportunities; and
• Helping increase the capacity and accessibility of social services (particularly malaria prevention and control services) while ensuring access to more nutritious foods. 

Key to the success of our programs is that Burkina remains a peaceful and secure country in a neighborhood that has experienced instability in the recent past. We build on the many practices that Burkinabe have used to weather conflicts and natural shocks. We assist to better meet these challenges through activities geared to improve local governance, strengthen the role of those who promote interethnic and religious dialogue, and help youth and women become more involved in local decision-making and cooperative action. Coupled with this work, we support political parties and civil society organizations that advocate for positive change and participation in elections and communicate goals through the media.

Although we support a myriad of activities in health, water and climate change operating under our regional and central programming, we place the highest priority on combatting malaria, since Burkina is among the ten countries in the world with the highest malaria disease burdens. Our health team works to  implement the country's national malaria control strategic plan and achieve objectives to significantly reduce malaria morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five and pregnant women who are the most vulnerable.

We welcome partnerships with civil society, particularly private businesses, that are interested in building resilience.