(Bamako, February 26, 2015) - Humanitarian organizations in Mali are seeking $377 million to cover the needs of over 1.5 million people in 2015. The requested funding will be used to support the second phase of their joint action plan for the period 2014-2016.
"Despite the progress in reconstructing and stabilizing conflict-affected areas in the north of Mali, the persisting insecurity affects the resumption of basic social services and the restart of economic activities. Hundreds of thousands of people still need humanitarian aid to survive" said Mr. David Gressly, Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali.
At the peak of the crisis, more than half a million people left the north of Mali to seek refuge in the south or in neighboring countries. Nearly 400,000 have since returned to the north where they face numerous challenges to restart their lives. Communities have become more vulnerable, livelihoods were deteriorated, and social services are working only partially, especially in rural areas.
"When I returned home, I received assistance to rebuild my house and financial support for food. Thanks to humanitarian organizations’ support, I was also able to set up a small stall to sell used clothes on the market. I am struggling to find food for my family, but I have no other choice" says Zeinabou, a widow from Gao who has 14 dependents and who spent nearly two years in Bamako during the conflict period. She chose to return home in 2014, within the framework of a return convoy organized by the Government.
Beyond the consequences of the conflict, Mali is facing a high level of food insecurity and malnutrition, which characterizes Sahelian countries. Nearly 2.6 million people in Mali (15 per cent of the total population of the country) will suffer from food insecurity this year. More than one in 10 children will be affected by acute malnutrition, facing a threefold to ninefold increased risk of mortality. Faced with this major challenge, national authorities and humanitarian partners coordinate their work to respond to people’s needs throughout the country.
"In 2014, the Government increased its efforts in the food security sector", said Mr. Samba Baby, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction of the North. Besides, the Government is working with its development partners to address the structural causes of food insecurity and malnutrition.
To support an exit to the crisis, the three-year humanitarian response plan in Mali is based on a twofold approach: meeting the immediate needs of the most vulnerable people while at the same time working to strengthen livelihoods and communities’ resilience. The plan focuses on reinforcing the abilities of national partners and state structures in an effort to lay the foundations of a transition from humanitarian response to development interventions. Finally, it also includes actions to support the prevention of, and preparedness to, emergency situations, especially to help Mali fight against epidemics and natural disasters.
The Strategic Response Plan gathers forty humanitarian organizations in Mali – United Nations agencies and NGOs - who coordinate their planning efforts and response. The plan is part of the regional humanitarian response strategy for the Sahel.
