ICRC Trains Burkina Faso Media on Humanitarian Principles to Bridge Information Gap in Conflict Zones
KAYA, Burkina Faso – In a strategic move to enhance crisis reporting and community outreach, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has conducted a specialized training workshop for journalists, communicators, and influencers in the Koulsé region. The session, held in Kaya on November 19, 2025, focused on core humanitarian principles and practical first aid techniques, signaling a growing recognition of the media’s critical role in conflict-affected areas.
Forging a New Partnership Between Humanitarians and Media
The initiative represents a significant shift toward formalizing collaboration between humanitarian organizations and information professionals in Burkina Faso’s Centre-Nord region, an area grappling with security challenges and humanitarian needs.
According to Emeline Yaméogo/Oboulbiga, ICRC’s Communications and Prevention Coordinator, the workshop established “a regular framework for dialogue” designed to strengthen how humanitarian issues are covered for the benefit of local communities. “People hear about the Red Cross, but they don’t really know the organization through its different components,” Yaméogo explained, highlighting a crucial communication gap the training sought to address.
Beyond Public Relations: Building Trust Through Transparency
Analysts observing the humanitarian landscape in the Sahel region note that such capacity-building efforts extend beyond simple public relations. In conflict zones where misinformation can spread rapidly, equipping local media with accurate knowledge of humanitarian principles becomes essential for maintaining community trust.
“The ICRC is an exclusively humanitarian organization that works with complete transparency, synergy, and in complementarity with administrative authorities and all humanitarian actors on the ground,” Yaméogo emphasized during the session, underscoring the organization’s commitment to principled action.
Official Endorsement and Practical Outcomes
The training received strong endorsement from regional authorities. Bernadette Adényo/Sermé, Secretary General of the Koulsé Region, praised the ICRC’s “participatory and inclusive approach” and called on information professionals to support visibility efforts for the organization’s work.
The workshop yielded concrete results, with participants clarifying misunderstandings about humanitarian principles and the operational methods of international institutions. More significantly, it paved the way for structured collaboration through the Network of Journalists for the Protection of Specific Groups in Koulsé.
A Model for Humanitarian-Media Collaboration
This initiative reflects a broader trend in humanitarian diplomacy, where organizations increasingly recognize that effective communication is not merely about disseminating information but about building sustainable partnerships with local stakeholders.
By investing in the capacity of local journalists and influencers, the ICRC appears to be implementing a long-term strategy to ensure that humanitarian actions in towns like Kaya, Boulsa, Boussouma, Kongoussi, and Barsalogho are accurately understood and reported, ultimately strengthening the protection ecosystem for vulnerable communities.
This report was developed using information from the original article published by Sidwaya. Access the primary source here.