0. MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP
Third modification 29/11/2013
In Mali, due to the intensification of security incidents on roads between the capital and regional cities, there is an increase in air transport needs, especially between the main cities of the 3 north regions.
In addition to the UNHAS flights, and given the urgency of the situation, DG ECHO recommends the extension of the ECHO Flight project to be able to facilitate access to humanitarian actors in northern Mali.
An ECHO Flight aircraft is going to operate from 1st January 2014 for a duration of 4 months. 70 flying hours per month are planned as well as the opening of an ECHO Flight base either in Mopti or Gao.
To address these new and unforeseen needs, it is necessary to decrease the amount of this HIP from 54 000 000 EUR to 53 400 000 EUR (see revised section 5.2) and to transfer the balance of 600 000 EUR to the ECHO Flight HIP 2014.
Second modification 25/05/2013
The operating environment remains complex and less predictable in the north, with volatile security conditions leading to increased risks for the population and humanitarian partners in some areas. Insecurity is also impacting on transport and commerce.
Access for humanitarian actors has improved in the central regions, but remains limited in the north (threats of mines, attacks by armed groups, etc.). However, humanitarian actors mainly NGOs are active in the three northern regions (Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal). Activities also continue in the rest of the country without security challenges
On 30 April, the estimated number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) has reached 300 783 according to OCHA. UNHCR estimates that 173,779 Malian refugees are living in neighbouring countries as of 24 April.
Partners continue to observe the movement of people from north to south and vice versa. According to IOM, 14,408 people were observed moving from south to north. In addition, 23,501 people were observed moving from north to south. 62% of the total of 37,900 people were reported as moving in both directions between 12 January and 31 March. Food insecurity, precarious economic conditions, lack of basic services and violence are the main reasons for the movements from north to south.
The very low level of people returning to the north includes civil servants which is having a negative impact on attempts to restart public services and improve access to basic social services (water, education, health).
Deteriorating food security remains the major concern as the lean season begins, especially in the northern regions which are already past the crisis threshold (IPC 3).
Currently, at least one in five households in the north is facing a severe food shortage. In Kidal region at least one in five households is facing an extreme lack of food, surpassing the emergency phase (IPC 4). Updated figures of people affected in the North are not yet available but will surpass the initial 585,000 people estimated as being food insecure.
Lack of income as well as difficulties in accessing markets is also having an impact on the preparations for this year's agricultural season, as the most vulnerable households have little access to the limited amount of seeds available in markets. In addition, there is an overall lack of cash availability in most of the rural areas, as a consequence of the disruption of commercial activities.
Based on the above reported needs, DG ECHO has decided to allocate an additional EUR 12 million under this HIP to meet outstanding needs in basic social services (water, education, health) in a context of a deteriorating food security situation.