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Humanitarian Crisis in Mali | Growing needs and funding shortfalls continue to place lives at risk
Highlights
- The humanitarian situation in Mali remains critical. Ongoing armed conflict, particularly in the northern and central regions, has intensified, worsening an already fragile environment. This escalation has led to widespread displacement, forcing entire communities to flee in search of safety, including women and girls who are vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV). Localized violence, insecurity, and the targeting of aid workers have further restricted the operational space for humanitarian organizations, hindering their ability to deliver assistance effectively, including life-saving GBV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
- The scale of humanitarian aid falls drastically short of the growing needs. In 2024, 4.1 million people were identified as requiring assistance, yet only 1.8 million received aid. This gap is largely due to critical funding shortages, leaving organizations struggling to address even the most urgent needs.
- The future of humanitarian assistance remains uncertain amid funding cuts. The freezing of key funding streams and the withdrawal of major donors will have severe consequences, limiting the capacity of aid organizations to sustain or expand their operations.
- On January 28, a briefing on the Mali Humanitarian Response Plan was held in Geneva for member states. Mr. Khassim Diagne, the UN’s RC/HC ad interim for Mali, and Minister of Health and Social Development Ms. Assa Badiallo Toure were in attendance. The briefing underscored the urgent need for both humanitarian aid and long-term development investments to address the root causes of the crisis. Minister Toure highlighted the severity of forced displacement, climate-related challenges, and food insecurity.