UN chief condemns terror attack in Burkina Faso

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist attack in central Burkina Faso over the weekend, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Burkina Faso, and wished a prompt recovery to those injured, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, at a daily briefing.

"The secretary-general expresses his solidarity with the transition authorities in their fight against terrorism and calls on them to ensure that those responsible for these despicable acts are held to account," said Dujarric.

Several people, mostly civilians, were killed in an attack Saturday in Barsalogho, north-central Burkina Faso, local media reported.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday warned of a severe humanitarian crisis in Barsalogho even before the attack.

OCHA, citing local officials, said at least 90,000 displaced people were living in Barsalogho as of last year, who had sought refuge there from insecurity in surrounding areas. The office added that all of Sanmatenga Province, where Barsalogho is located, is facing acute hunger during the current lean season, and insecurity has made it difficult to provide aid in the area.