The European Union donated 5 million euros to contribute to providing life-saving food assistance to 1.6 million people in Burkina Faso who are unable to meet their basic food needs due to conflict, the impact of climate change, and the socio-economic fallout caused by COVID-19, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said on Monday.

The agency noted that the contribution allows critical assistance to the affected people in the country beleaguered by conflict that forced many people to flee their homes.

The WFP noted that 2.4 million people are currently in need of a form of assistance in Burkina Faso, a figure projected to reach 3.5 million persons at the peak of the lean season between June and August.