Welthungerhilfe: people cannot eat their fill without security
(25.03.2013) According to Welthungerhilfe’s assessment the nutrition situation in Mail continues to be critical. This is the result of current surveys on the ground in many districts around Timbuctu, where both refugees and families that have taken in expellees were questioned.
A large proportion of the population have not been able to provide for themselves since the start of military hostilities. Firstly, many fields are lying fallow, because farmers have fled hundreds of kilometres to the south of the country out of fear of the fighting. The remaining families have no seeds and are afraid of attacks. The refugees staying with relatives have not returned to their villages up to now due to the lack of security. They have no land while they are staying with guest families and thus they are wholly dependent on their relatives’ support. "The lack of security is the greatest barrier to independent family provision. Some people have nothing to sow and the fields cannot be tilled while others are too scared to return to their villages. As a result the whole economic cycle has come to a halt," says Gerhard Weisshaupt, Project Manager of Welthungerhilfe, describing the situation in the north of Mali.
Welthungerhilfe is also supporting the population in various regions of Mali with financial donations from the German government. About 28,000 households in the areas around Kayes and Mopti are receiving food. 6,500 families in the villages around Timbuctu and Segou are each receiving 100 kg of rice. Households can feed themselves for around 2 months with this aid. In addition, blankets, mats mosquito nets and hygiene items are being distributed.Welthungerhilfe has supported projects in Mali since 1968. Together with the local people projects in the areas of sustainable food security, school education and also agricultural development have been supported. Due to recurring political unrest and extreme climatic fluctuations Welthungerhilfe has also continually provided active emergency aid. On request we will be pleased to arrange an interview with our Project Manager Gerhard Weisshaupt in Bamako.
