Highlights:
· Humanitarian access is improving in the central regions of Mali, and UNHAS flights have resumed service to Mopti and Kayes. The UN is re-establishing a permanent presence in Ségou and Mopti, and is strengthening its presence in Kayes.
· Several humanitarian partners have completed rapid assessments in areas recently brought back under Malian control. Initial results show no major new crisis in the central regions, but the risk of food insecurity is growing in the north. Conditions continue to require urgent response.
· Military operations have scaled up in the north. During the reporting period, Gao and Timbuktu came under control of the Malian army and its allies.
· Over 15,000 Malian refugees arrived in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania between 11 and 27 January. Partners also identified 9,946 new IDPs in Bamako, Ségou and Mopti regions between 12 and 24 January.
· Immediate funding is required to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in Mali. The 2013 Mali CAP was officially launched on 29 January in Bamako and is requesting US$370 million to assist 4.3 million people. As of 29 January, less than $2.8 million had been committed.