Highlights
• Improved access continues to be observed in central regions while in northern regions the threat of mines, recent violence and on-going military operations restrict humanitarian activities. Despite this challenge, WFP opened a new land route from Niger to reach northern Mali and a first convoy of trucks delivered 200 tons of food to Menaka.
• The protection of civilians and the respect for human rights remain among the top priorities. Risks related to the explosive remnants of war and mines, gender based violence and child protection are still of concern.
• The education of 700,000 children is disrupted and 200,000 among them still with no access to school both in the North and South of the country.
• According to the Committee for Population Movement, there were 260,665 IDPs in Mali as of 20 February, compared to 227,206 as of 31 December 2012.