UNFPA Mali: Situation Report #5 - 21 November, 2024

Hostilities and climate-related challenges in Mali continue to place lives at risk

Highlights

• Mali is grappling with an unprecedented natural disaster, as massive floods caused by torrential rains and the rising waters of the Niger River have displaced 73,778 people and affected a total of 259,795 individuals, over 70% of whom are women and children. The flooding has severely disrupted daily life, including education, with the school year postponed from 1 October to 4 November as 175 schools are being used as shelters for displaced families. Many other schools remain unusable due to significant flood damage.
• The security situation remains volatile, with ongoing military operations involving armed groups and national forces (FAMA). In October alone, more than 40 security incidents were reported, compounding the challenges faced by affected populations. The combination of conflict and flooding has further destabilized northern and central regions, increasing vulnerabilities and limiting access to essential services.
• In response, UNFPA continues to deliver integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV), and family planning (FP) services to flood-affected populations in Ségou, Gao, Mopti, and the Bamako district through mobile and static clinics. Despite the complex environment, UNFPA and its partners reached 14,544 individuals in October with life-saving SRH and GBV services, underscoring the organization’s commitment to supporting the health and safety of Mali’s most vulnerable communities.

Situation Overview

• The situation in Mali remains precarious and unpredictable, with violent clashes between parties to the conflict, attacks against civilians and crime, particularly in the central and northern regions. These threats are affecting the lives of local populations and continue to hinder humanitarian access.
• The impact of the floods is ongoing, with risks of flooding in regions that were not initially affected by torrential rains. UNFPA is on standby and ready to provide assistance to women and girls in newly impacted areas.
• Some 33 health facilities were flooded and pharmaceutical warehouses were severely damaged, causing shortages and stock-outs of essential SRH medicines and supplies in some areas of the country.
• Overcrowded and unsanitary shelter conditions are further exposing vulnerable populations — especially children — to respiratory infections and other illnesses, worsening the health crisis. Additionally, women and girls are at heightened risk to GBV in crowded shelters. This surge in health risks coincides with damage to health infrastructure, with 33 health centres directly impacted.
• Flooding has increased the risks of waterborne diseases, contaminating water supplies and compromising sanitation, while stagnant water will boost mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue.