Talitha Kum Burkina Faso in collaboration with the National Police successfully conducted a joint operation that led to several young girls in severe situations being safely rescued and placed under protected care by the Sisters.

The operation started following the courageous escape of a 16-year-old survivor from her captors. Found wandering in the streets around 4 a.m. by the Police Emergency Unit, she was immediately assisted and then entrusted to the Sisters, where she was welcomed and secured in the shelter centre.

The survivor expressed deep concern for her companions who remained captive. She indicated that several of them also wanted to escape from the hands of traffickers, but they failed after several attempts due to increasing surveillance.

Following this testimony, a joint operation with the National Police led to the identification and rescue of young girls who had been moved to the border area between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Through the collaboration of local partners and survivors, a total of eight young girls, aged 16 to 21,  were rescued from sexual exploitation and brought safely to our shelter.

Furthermore, with the support from the relevant embassies, necessary travel documents were provided and soon the survivors will be repatriated to their home countries, where the Talitha Kum network will ensure their protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration with care and empowerment of survivors.

This action once again highlights the importance of networking and collaboration between Talitha Kum networks, like-minded civil society organizations, local law enforcement, and institutional partners, in order to effectively combat human trafficking and restore dignity, safety, and hope to survivors.

Sr. Nadine, CSC 

Talitha Kum Burkina Faso