The food security situation is expected to deteriorate further in northern Mali and parts of Mopti region as of the end of February
BAMAKO, Mali (February 18, 2013): Although humanitarian access remains limited in northern Mali, CARE International and its local partners are on the ground, distributing much needed food to both returnees and people who have remained in the conflict-ridden Timbuktu region. Over the past few days, CARE and its local partners have distributed 450 metric tonnes of food to 25,881 people in the Timbuktu region, and aim to reach over 47,000 people with essential food items by the end of the month.
“Despite the challenges and the risks, it is important that we come to the aid of the people of Timbuktu as this region remains highly vulnerable. It is also the region that suffers the most from acute food insecurity in Mali,” said Claudine Mensah Awute, Country Director with CARE International in Mali. More than half a million people are already food insecure in northern Mali, with an additional 1.2 million at risk, according to the World Food Programme. Further, there are fears that the food security situation will deteriorate even more in northern Mali and parts of Mopti region as of the end of February. The current conflict in Mali has started in the midst of a Sahel-wide food and nutrition crisis that eroded the resilience of the population. Millions continue to suffer and the recent fighting has created additional humanitarian needs.
Overall, 4.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Mali.
Since mid January, CARE has distributed 668 metric tonnes of food to 46,888 people–both internally displaced people and host communities–in the regions of Mopti and Ségou, along with more than 2,320 family kits full of emergency supplies such as mats, blankets, soap, mosquito nets and kitchen utensils.
Food and access to water, sanitation and hygiene remain the highest priorities according to CARE’s recent assessments conducted to ascertain the needs of newly arrived displaced people as well as the local population in Mopti and Ségou. CARE will continue its food distributions, aiming to reach 200,000 people in the regions of Timbuktu, Mopti and Ségou over the next six months. CARE is also constructing and rehabilitating water points and latrines, and is distributing hygiene kits to local and displaced communities in the regions of Mopti and Ségou.
For further information please contact the Press Officers:
Kathryn Richards - Senior Press Officer
Email: richards@careinternational.org
Tel: +44 (0)207 091 6047
Deborah Underdown - Press Officer
Email: underdown@careinternational.org
Tel: +44 (0)207 091 6063
Josephine Broughton - PR and Communications Executive
Email: broughton@careinternational.org
Tel: +44 (0)207 091 6014
Out of hours number: 07824 563 810