“The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the transition authorities in their fight against terrorism and calls on them to ensure that those responsible for these despicable acts are held to account”, he added.

‘Additional strain’

Mr. Dujarric also reported that UN humanitarians working in the area of the “terrible attack” described conditions overall as “pretty horrific”.

“According to local officials, at least 90,000 displaced people were living in Barsalogho as of last year. These families had sought refuge there from insecurity in surrounding areas, and their arrival placed an additional strain on local services and supplies”, he said.

All of the province where Barsalogho is located is facing acute hunger, Mr. Dujarric continued, adding that insecurity in surrounding areas has also made it much more difficult to provide aid in Barsalogho.

“Since 2022, access to the area for aid agencies has mostly been limited to helicopter transport”, the UN Spokesperson said.