The Tarikom refugee camp in the Bawku West District of Ghana, a sanctuary for those fleeing conflict in neighboring Burkina Faso, is facing an escalating humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by significant funding cuts that are leaving refugees struggling to meet their most basic needs. This precarious situation was brought into stark relief on Thursday, September 27, 2025, with the arrival of a much-needed donation of 1,700 dignity kits from World Vision Ghana. These kits, containing essential hygiene items such as sanitary pads, towels, and soap, offer a glimmer of hope and a critical lifeline to refugees who are increasingly forced to prioritize food over hygiene, creating a dangerous gap in their overall well-being. This donation underscores not just the immediate needs of the refugees, but the larger, systemic challenges posed by dwindling resources for humanitarian aid.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the recent actions of the World Food Programme (WFP), which drastically reduced cash assistance to refugee households from GHS1,000 to GHS400 for two months before suspending the program entirely. This abrupt halt in aid, as highlighted by Samuel Gmalu, World Vision Ghana’s Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs Manager, has placed immense strain on vulnerable families. The reduction in financial support has already begun to ripple through the camp, with projections indicating a likely surge in malnutrition and a worsening of already challenging survival conditions. The refugees, having fled conflict and instability in their homeland, now face an equally precarious situation in their place of refuge, highlighting the desperate need for consistent and adequate humanitarian support.
World Vision Ghana’s donation of dignity kits is part of a broader, long-term initiative known as the “Border” project, which focuses on strengthening resilience and fostering social cohesion within communities in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. This project, supported by partners such as the PATRIP Foundation, aims to mitigate the pressure on host communities, recognizing the potential for tension and conflict arising from competition over limited resources. By providing direct support to refugees, World Vision seeks to preemptively address these potential challenges and create an environment of greater stability and collaboration between the displaced populations and the communities that welcome them.
Beyond the provision of dignity kits, World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with partners like Ernest Chemist and Vitamin Angels, also delivered crucial medical supplies to the CHIPS health center located near the Tarikom refugee camp. These supplies, including 10 cartons of essential medicines like Vitamin B and Albendazole, are particularly critical for vulnerable groups within the refugee population, especially pregnant women, many of whom are nearing their delivery dates. Access to adequate healthcare is essential for ensuring the well-being of both mothers and their newborns, and this timely intervention addresses a crucial gap in the provision of healthcare services within the camp.
The significance of these donations extends beyond the immediate provision of material goods. As Ms. Awurabena Quoyeba Dadzie, World Vision Ghana’s Health & Nutrition Technical Manager, emphasizes, the act of providing dignity kits is fundamentally about preserving the inherent dignity of the refugees. It is about recognizing their humanity and ensuring they have access to the basic necessities that allow them to maintain a sense of self-worth and respect. Without such support, she warns, refugees risk losing not only their physical well-being but also the fundamental conditions that allow them to live with dignity. This act of giving reinforces the message that refugees are not forgotten and that their basic human rights are recognized and respected.
The provision of aid also serves a vital role in alleviating pressure on host communities. By directly addressing the needs of refugees, World Vision Ghana aims to prevent social and economic tensions that can arise when resources are scarce. This preventative approach is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence and building strong, resilient communities that can accommodate the influx of displaced individuals. The donation, therefore, is not just about providing material support but is a strategic investment in fostering long-term stability and social harmony within the region. World Vision’s call to action, urging the private sector, civil society, and other humanitarian actors to step up and contribute to the cause, underscores the magnitude of the challenge and the collective responsibility to address this growing crisis. The urgent appeal from Mr. Gmalu, “We need more people to come in to support these people,” serves as a stark reminder of the precarious situation facing refugees and the critical need for increased and sustained humanitarian assistance.
