Minister Fantino visits the Sahel region

September 10 to 13, 2012

On his first trip to Africa, Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino is visiting Burkina Faso and Nigeria. He is accompanied by several heads of Canadian development organizations including:  

• Rosemary McCarney, Plan Canada
• Dave Toycen, World Vision Canada
• Jim Cornelius, Canadian Foodgrains Bank
• David Morley, UNICEF Canada

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• Day 1 - September 10, Burkina Faso
• Day 2 - September 11, Burkina Faso
• Day 3 - September 12, Burkina Faso to Nigeria
• Day 4 - September 13, Nigeria

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Day 1 - September 10, Burkina Faso

This morning, Minister Fantino visited two primary schools on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, along with Emmanuel Goabaga, General Secretary (Deputy Minister) of the Ministry of National Education and Literacy.

Minister Fantino also met with the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Beyon Luc-Adolphe Tiao. In the late afternoon Minister Fantino visited Namassa Health Centre.

Tweets from partners

DMorley UNICEF: Back in Burkina Faso with CIDA. It's one of the world's poorest places and also one of the most welcoming. Will share updates.

WFP_WAfrica: Canadian Cooperation Minister visits WFP-supported health centre treating malnourished children in Namassa.

Toycenontheroad: In Burkina Faso with CIDA. Looking at food needs in the country. Met with many children including this little guy.

Humcoalition: Plan Canada in Burkina Faso with Julian Fantino on his 1st trip as CIDA Minister. Together raising awareness on the sit in the Sahel.

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Day 2 - September 11, Burkina Faso

Today, Minister Fantino visited Mentao Refugee Camp, about a six hour drive from Ouagadougou. Minister Fantino met the Governor of the Sahel Region and toured the camp with representatives from UNHCR and other partner organizations. He met with two families in their shelters and visited a school for refugee children.

Tweets from partners

DMorley UNICEF: Visited the Mentao refugee camp in Burkina Faso where UNICEF works with WPF and UNHCR. At this camp, UNICEF funds education, water and sanitation, child protection and anti-cholera programs.

Toycenontheroad: Visiting with kids at Mentao Mali refugee camp in Burkina Faso. Most here since February. This school organized by Plan Canada.

Plan Canada: Minister Fantino thanked by a young mother for Canada's support to child nutrition in the community.

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Day 3 - September 12, Burkina Faso to Nigeria

Today, Minister Fantino flew to Abuja, Nigeria where he met with key Government of Nigeria representatives, as well as representatives from partner organizations including other donors, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector.

Tweets from partners

WFP: As students in Canada head back to school, CIDA announces donation to WFP to provide school meals around the world.

DMorleyUNICEF: On a media call about the Sahel food crisis. It's great that the media are covering this - we need more media.

UNICEFLive: Read DMorleyUNICEF's first-hand account of his visit to the Mentao Refugee Camp in Burkina Faso with CIDA.

MRT: Working on a CIDA project in Burkina Faso, thrilled to see Minister Julian Fantino's support.

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Day 4 - September 13, Nigeria

Minister Fantino began his day with a visit to Kuchigoro clinic where he met with representatives of Nigeria's health care system, as well as with patients at the clinic. He also visited Maitama Hospital.

In the afternoon, Minister Fantino met with key partners working with CIDA to eradicate polio. Nigeria is one of the last three countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

As the last event on his visit to the Sahel region, Minister Fantino hosted a roundtable on natural resource management and the extractive industries with participants from the Government of Nigeria, donor agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector.

Tweets from partners

DMorleyUNICEF: A Malian boy at a Burkina Faso refugee camp recites his poem about peace. These children can't wait for politics.

Toycenontheroad: Leaving Burkina Faso. Evidence of 'Green famine' everywhere. A strong harvest in a few months but no comfort to families now.

PlanCanada: Malian refugee children attending school managed by Plan in Mentao refugee camp.

See more tweets on CIDA's twitter account.