Madar (Brussels) - Burkina Faso's foreign minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, discussed humanitarian cooperation in Brussels on Monday, 9 November 2026 with the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, according to a statement by the ministry's communication department published by the state daily Sidwaya.
According to the statement, the meeting took place during an official visit by the minister to the Belgian capital. The commissioner reaffirmed her institution's readiness to continue its partnership with Burkina Faso and sought clarification of the authorities' vision so that humanitarian actors can operate neutrally and safely.
Citing what he called the adverse effects of some support mechanisms such as cash transfers, Traore set out the government's new approach: "We no longer want offers that come with instruction manuals, but rather support with a sustainable approach, with an impact on the lives of beneficiaries through structural projects in the areas of return."
"Our approach is that people who receive emergency aid should be able to develop their own capacities and get out of dependency," he added.
The talks also covered the security of humanitarian workers and their access to areas of operation. Both sides acknowledged the need for awareness work so that these actors better understand their role, its limits and the country's principles and regulations, the statement said.
The minister called for local expertise to be favoured when humanitarian actors are designated, saying Burkina Faso remains committed to facilitating humanitarian access in secured areas and protecting aid workers, provided they respect national security requirements.
The commissioner praised Burkina Faso's progress in resettling displaced people in their home areas, according to the same source.
