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Country analysis

Côte d'Ivoire

Insecurity and attacks from non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso have reportedly forced entire villages to flee, with many crossing the border into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire to seek refuge. According to the National Security Council of Côte d’Ivoire, as at 2 Feburary, roughly 8,700 people from Burkina Faso had newly sought refuge in the country, mainly in the towns of Kong and Ouangolodougou of Tchologo region and Téhini town of Buonkani region.

Although it is not clear when the “influx” started, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire had planned an assessment of the situation between 22 February and 1 March. As at 6 March, Côte d’Ivoire hosted an estimated 13,214 refugees (2,489 households), of whom around 7,053 were registered refugees from Burkina Faso.

Around 59% of the refugee population from Burkina Faso in Côte d’Ivoire are children and 29% have specific needs, including people with disabilities, serious medical conditions, and older people.

The majority of displaced people from Burkina Faso in Côte d’Ivoire, were reportedly located in Tchologo region, which is along the border with Burkina Faso, mainly in the towns of Sikolo, Kong, Ferkéssédougou, Ouangolodougou, Diawala, Kaouara, Niellé, Toumoukoro, and M’Bengué.

(UN 04/02/2023, RFI 05/02/2023, UNHCR 06/03/2023, Burkina24 02/03/2023, Afrik Soir 15/02/2023)

Insecurity and attacks from non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso have reportedly forced entire villages to flee, with many crossing the border into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire to seek refuge. According to the National Security Council of Côte d’Ivoire, as at 2 Feburary, roughly 8,700 people from Burkina Faso had newly sought refuge in the country, mainly in the towns of Kong and Ouangolodougou of Tchologo region and Téhini town of Buonkani region.

Although it is not clear when the “influx” started, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire had planned an assessment of the situation between 22 February and 1 March. As at 6 March, Côte d’Ivoire hosted an estimated 13,214 refugees (2,489 households), of whom around 7,053 were registered refugees from Burkina Faso.

Around 59% of the refugee population from Burkina Faso in Côte d’Ivoire are children and 29% have specific needs, including people with disabilities, serious medical conditions, and older people.

The majority of displaced people from Burkina Faso in Côte d’Ivoire, were reportedly located in Tchologo region, which is along the border with Burkina Faso, mainly in the towns of Sikolo, Kong, Ferkéssédougou, Ouangolodougou, Diawala, Kaouara, Niellé, Toumoukoro, and M’Bengué.

(UN 04/02/2023, RFI 05/02/2023, UNHCR 06/03/2023, Burkina24 02/03/2023, Afrik Soir 15/02/2023)

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Latest updates on country situation

08 September 2025

A land dispute between Brefor and Gonja communities in Ghana’s Savannah region escalated into violent clashes in late August 2025, killing at least 34 people and displacing nearly 50,000. The violence began in Gbenyiri village and spread to nearby areas, prompting a curfew and the deployment of over 700 security personnel. By 5 September, around 10,000 people had crossed into Côte d’Ivoire’s Bounkani region, where civic authorities report food shortages, overcrowding, and inadequate medical supplies. Most arrivals are women, children, and older people. Within Ghana, over 40,000 remain displaced across Savannah region, many in neighbouring villages with limited shelter or services. Some families have also attempted to cross into Burkina Faso. Given the region’s history of land-related conflict, protracted displacement and renewed violence remain possible. Although the situation has calmed, cross-border ethnic ties and the absence of a resolution raise the risk of reprisals and further unrest. (RFI 03/09/2025, ECHO 05/09/2025, Sada News 05/09/2025)

current crises
in Côte d'Ivoire

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

CIV002 - Displacement from Burkina Faso

Last updated 25/08/2025

Drivers

International Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.1 Medium

Access constraints

0.0

Analysis products
on Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire: Displacement from Burkina Faso

15 March 2023

Côte d’Ivoire: Displacement from Burkina Faso

DOCUMENT / PDF / 366 KB

Insecurity and attacks from non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso have reportedly forced entire villages to flee, with many crossing the border into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire to seek safety. According to the National Security Council of Côte d’Ivoire, as at 2 Feburary, roughly 8,700 people from Burkina Faso had newly sought refuge in the country. 

Displacement

Attached resources

AudioLISTEN TO THE REPORT
Migration in West and North Africa

30 November 2018

Migration in West and North Africa

DOCUMENT / PDF / 855 KB

These scenarios consider how migration dynamics within and via West and North Africa (including across the Mediterranean Sea) might evolve in the first half of 2019 and the potential humanitarian consequences. The aim is to support strategic planning, create awareness and promote preparedness activities for policymakers and other actors working on migration.

Mixed migration
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