Caritas Australia, the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church, has welcomed the government’s commitment of $10 million to help victims of the conflict in Mali, but said Australia now needed to use its influence in the UN Security Council to ensure vital food security in the land-locked West African country.
West Africa has already been ravaged by a food crisis and the recent escalation in violence in Mali has further exacerbated the food security problem.
It is estimated more than 350,000 people have been forced to flee fighting and human rights abuses in the occupied north, with 155,000 people seeking refuge in surrounding countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Caritas Australia and the international Caritas network are supporting and helping those affected by the violence in North Mali, who have fled to the capital Bamako and Segou, San Mopti and Koutiala. While the French and African troops in Mali have regained a lot of Northern Mali the return of many conflict affected people will still put stress on food, fuel and water shortages in the North.
The Caritas network was one of the first non-governmental organisations to provide food aid to Mali. Caritas will continue to help in distributing almost 2,000 tonnes of food, as well as blankets, temporary shelter and medical supplies.
Caritas CEO Jack de Groot said this region was already under significant stress due to the West Africa food crisis.
“Many more Malians could face severe food shortages in the coming days and weeks if markets remain blocked by border and road closures,” Mr de Groot said.
“We need to remain vigilant in helping the poorest of the poor in this region and Australia needs to use its influence to continue to deliver food aid and support to those affected by conflict in Mali, but also in neighbouring countries where many Malian refugees have fled and which have also been affected by drought in West Africa.”
The president of Caritas Mali, Archbishop Jean Zerbo of Bamako said a "new period of suffering has begun for the Malian people" and called for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to transport food and medicines to the affected populations.
The Australian Ambassador to the UN has said the unfolding crisis in Mali is Australia’s first great test as a member of the UN Security Council.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has affected many in Mali, and the people there desperately need access to humanitarian assistance,” Mr de Groot said.
“We in Australia should use our influence to be a voice for the poorest of the poor.”
In 2012 sporadic rains, poor harvests and insecurity put 18 million people at risk across Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon.
Supporters helped Caritas provide humanitarian aid during this critical time, reducing the impact of the crisis. Long-term funding, however, is still required to build the resilience of those living in drought and conflict affected areas.
Media contact: Nicole Clements - 0408 869 833 or NicoleC@caritas.org.au