Nakambe: The Nakambe region launched on Monday the regional solidarity promotion campaign 'Deme Sira', a national initiative aimed at strengthening mutual aid, supporting vulnerable people, and promoting community practices that underpin social cohesion in Burkina Faso. Faced with the effects of security challenges, marked by population displacements and an increase in humanitarian needs, the authorities have decided to promote traditional mechanisms of mutual aid.
According to Burkina Information Agency, in his opening address, Colonel Aboudou Karim Lamizana, governor of the Nakambe region, stated that "solidarity has always been at the heart of Burkinabe social practices." He cited sharing, hospitality, joking relationships, community rotating savings and credit associations (tontines), collective work such as sossoaga in Moore or yaoule in Bissa, as well as customary mediation provided by blacksmiths, wemba (traditional healers), and the grandsons of yaguense (ancestors). He noted that these values need to be highlighted in order to be passed on to younger generations.
The Regional Director of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, Boukare Zabsonre, indicated that the "Deme Sira" campaign, launched nationally on November 14 by the Prime Minister, means "solidarity on the move" in the national language. It aims to encourage every citizen to adopt a helpful attitude on a daily basis, particularly towards internally displaced persons and other vulnerable households.
To facilitate the collection of contributions, collection boxes will be installed in regional and provincial humanitarian action offices, as well as in high-traffic public places. An online contribution system will also be available for those unable to travel. According to Boukare Zabsonre, donations can be made "in kind or in cash" for the benefit of people who have expressed priority needs.
The regional campaign runs from November 14, 2025, to January 31, 2026. A national caravan will travel through all regions of the country. In Nakambe, it is scheduled to arrive on December 6. Authorities urge the population to give a warm welcome to the delegation tasked with conveying messages of solidarity.
The "Deme Sira" campaign provides a framework for action to strengthen community mobilization in support of people in difficulty and to promote social cohesion. Regional leaders are calling on the residents of Nakambe to get involved in order to contribute to the national solidarity effort.