HIGHLIGHTS
Despite good agricultural production in 2012 and good conditions for pastoralists, the situation in the Sahel remains critical, mostly due to the impact of the 2012 crisis (food insecurity, floods and Mali conflict) as well as previous recent crises. Approximately 10.3 million people remain food insecure in 2013 and over 1.4 million children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
Large population movements are reported as a consequence of the conflict in Mali. It is estimated that there are currently 260 665 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mali and 170 313 refugees in neighbouring countries, mainly Burkina Faso, Mauritania and the Niger.
The risk of food insecurity is growing in northern Mali, where it is estimated that 585 000 people are food insecure and 1.2 million are at risk of food insecurity.
Based on current estimates, for 2013 FAO is requesting a total of USD 135.3 million to support almost 6 million people with livelihood interventions in the Sahel, including those related to the Malian conflict. To start the operations for the main agricultural campaign (May – October 2013), USD 99 million are immediately required, from which USD 6 million will be allocated to interventions in northern Mali.
Aggravated by existing chronic vulnerabilities, the negative effects of the recent crises in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012 remain. Vulnerable people have eroded their capacity to withstand external shocks and many continue to be heavily indebted and have been unable to restore their productive means. Time is of the essence for building resilience to strengthen the livelihoods of the most vulnerable people.