Burkina Faso: Two million people displaced amid worst food crisis 

 Almost two million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso amid the worst food crisis in a decade, international aid groups operating in the West African country said on Monday.

 In a statement, the groups said nearly one in 10 people in Burkina Faso had been displaced by conflict.

 Most worryingly, the rate of severe food insecurity has nearly doubled compared to last year, with over 600,000 people in emergency hunger levels during this lean season, according to the aid groups.

“Too often, displacement and hunger come as a one-two punch,” said Hassane Hamadou, country director of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

 “People forced to move have left behind their fields and livestock. Many displaced families report being down to one meal a day in order to allow children to eat twice.

 The aid groups have called for an urgent surge of financial resources. Eight months into the year, the humanitarian response has only 36% of the funding required despite soaring needs, the statement said.