UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian emergency in Burkina Faso is worsening as recurrent armed attacks and insecurity continue to force people to flee their homes, a UN spokesman said Thursday.
"Nearly 220,000 people are now displaced. This is 50,000 more people than in May -- 171,000," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general.
He added that most of the displaced have sought refuge in other communities or in displacement sites in the African country's regions of Centre-Nord, Est, Nord and Sahel.
Due to ongoing rains, some roads have become impassable and as a result, many of the displaced are unable to access basic services, he said.
"Many also lack shelter and are surviving in deplorable conditions. Access to water is also difficult in many areas hosting displaced people," he noted.
In the violence-affected regions, he said, nearly 370,000 people have limited or no access to health services, as health centers have shut or are severely curtailing operations due to insecurity and armed attacks.
While the UN and humanitarian organizations are supporting the government in providing emergency assistance to the affected people, he said the persistent violence remains an impediment to an effective response.
