- implementation of the African campaign for the fast tracking of the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality (CARMMA) in the 13 regions. This activity was carried out through advocacy days in each of the regions of Burkina Faso, by using maternal health indicators specific to each region. It was attended by more than 600 community and administrative leaders as well as development stakeholders. Leaders and health service officials have undertaken to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality; - strengthening of the capacity of health facilities through the training of 52 trainers and 717 emergency obstetric and neonatal caregivers (EmONC) in obstetric care, training of 203 regional trainers in the auditing of maternal and neonatal deaths, training in facilitating supervision of EmONC and family planning (PF) for 41 officers responsible for the RH of the north and central-northern regions, integrated RH monitoring in all of the 13 regions and 46 health districts and the provision of materials and equipment to all health and social promotion centres (CSPS), municipal capitals and second-line medical centres (CMS) and regional hospitals (CHR) for the delivery of EmONC; - introduction of 462 village units for the management of obstetric emergencies in 247 health facilities in 26 health districts in order to reduce delays in access to health centres in case of obstetric emergencies, which are the cause of many maternal deaths, and - assistance to Malian refugees through the provision of basic interventions aimed at fighting maternal morbidity and comparatively high maternal mortality. Thus, 13 health facilities, including 10 first-line centres and 3 referral hospitals in the Sahel region, were given Reproductive Health (RH) kits for them to take care of cases; 52 health care providers were given training in minimum initial service delivery (MISP) in RH. 51. These interventions have contributed to the improvement of the indicators on the use of maternal health services in Burkina Faso. Indeed, coverage for 4 ante-natal visits (CPN4) and assisted child deliveries in 2012 witnessed positive trends, as compared to 2011. In 2012, this coverage stood at 31.0%, as against 25.5% in 2011 and 79.9%, as against 78.3% in 2011 respectively. 52. However, in comparison with the level desired for there to be a bigger impact on the reduction in maternal mortality, the rate at which services are accessed is low. Besides, the quality of services provided is inadequate and constitutes a challenge to be surmounted. Indeed, during the first half of the year, 474 maternal deaths were reported in the health facilities, and more than half of them (53.4%) occurred in the hospitals. Thus, the proportion of maternal deaths was 157 for 100.000 expectant women. 53. With regard to diarrhoeal diseases, serious actions have been taken. The Ministry of Health has formulated a plan to strengthen the management of diarrhoea with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc for children under five. The official launch of this plan took place on 22 February, 2013 in Ouagadougou. It aims at strengthening the fight against infant mortality and to remove the stumbling blocks in the way of access to anti-diarrhoeal treatment in Burkina Faso over the period 2013-2015. Adopt measures to ensure food security, quality care in public health facilities as well as access to medicines and medical treatment. 54. Food security is a major objective which Burkina Faso seeks to attain. An early warning system (EWS) has been put in place. It consists of collecting and analysing information to guard against all risks relating to droughts, grasshopper invasions as well as cyclical factors 19