Some 486,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict in Burkina Faso, 267,000 of whom in the past 3 months alone, the United Nation's refugee agency said on Friday.

The UNHCR has warned of a humanitarian crisis in the country, saying that hundreds of thousands of lives are being disrupted each day by insecurity and violence.

"Hosting communities are already impoverished, living on margins themselves. Food, water, shelter, and healthcare has to be arranged and reinforced immediately if we want to avoid another tragedy within this tragedy. Malnutrition and starvation are a real threat," a statement from the agency said.

UNHCR's statement comes following a visit to Burkina Faso by the agency's personnel.

Upon their return, the team reported that it had witnessed firsthand the impact of the violence in the country.

"One thing was absolutely clear. Humanitarian needs are rising fast as conflict and insecurity continues to devastate hundreds of thousands of lives. Malnutrition and starvation are a real threat," UNHCR said.

Burkina Faso has witnessed increased violence by armed groups over the past year, spilling over to neighbouring Niger and Mali.

According to the U.N., 5.4 million people in the affected regions need urgent assistance, including 3.2 million in Mali, and 700,000 people in western Niger.

Governments in the region have pledged to work together to solve the insecurity situation.

(Information obtained from UNCHR)