Since the beginning of the year, OCHA has recorded significant access constraints (31 compared to 22 for the whole of last year). From February to April, all reported access constraints were linked to violence against humanitarian personnel, assets or facilities (50%) or to the conduct of hostilities or military operations (50%). The reporting period was marked by the deadly attack against ICRC in March in Gao region and the sudden outbreak of violence in Gao and Timbuktu regions after fighting erupted anew in Menaka on 27 April. Meanwhile, insecurity continued to prevail in Tenenkou and Youwarou areas, hampering humanitarian access and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. As a consequence, over the past three months, at least fourteen humanitarian organizations have had to temporarily suspend their activities and/or relocate part or all of their staff. Finally, it has to be noted that Kidal airstrip has not yet been repaired. Humanitarian air services are de facto interrupted in the region.
