The United Nations (UN), along with some of its humanitarian partners launched Mali’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) in the city of Bamako on 14 February. The plan seeks US $686 million to ease assistance in the country, which has been through considerable challenges over the last few years, from coup d’états to violence and climate shocks. Indeed a general climate of insecurity and violence, last year restricted mostly to the central region of Mali, has since spread to the south.
Moreover, civilian casualties also notably increased in northern and central Mali in 2021, with civilians being the target of violent attacks by rebel groups, as well as being subject to a rise in inter-communal violence and risks posed by improvised explosive devices, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
As such, the humanitarian situation in the country is at a critical point. Conflict and insecurity inhibit humanitarian workers’ access to communities, and shortages of basic necessities are worse than ever. The number of internally displaced people remains high and is growing, with the population further struggling with urgent needs in regards to education, health, water and food. In 2022, more than 1.8 million are expected to require food assistance, which is half a million more than in 2021: this represents the highest level of food insecurity seen since 2014.
The humanitarian aid the HRP is seeking to fund will help 5.3 million of the most vulnerable people in the country. Nevertheless it must be noted that in 2021, donations only reached US $215 of the US $563 requested; Mr. Dujarric also mentioned that Mali was one of the least funded HRP of last year. To actually help the country, international monetary donations must increase so that aid organizations can adequately address the population’s growing needs.
To read more, please visit:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111962
https://www.unocha.org/story/daily-noon-briefing-highlights-mali-madagascar
Author:Dulce María Hernández Márquez; Editor: Maxime Grenier
