Attachments
WFP'S STEADFAST COMMITMENT IN EARLY 2025 TO DELIVERING HOPE IN MALI
Editorial by WFP Country Director Gian Carlo Cirri
As I began my tenure as Country Director and Representative at the start of March, I was immediately struck by the complexity of the challenges and the depth of opportunities that define Mali today. The first months of 2025 have presented a demanding environment for the World Food Programme (WFP), shaped by urgent needs and the critical necessity of strategic planning. Yet, amidst these challenges—particularly funding shortfalls and operational constraints—I have been encouraged by the dedication of our team to serving the most vulnerable.
In these early weeks, our efforts have focused on establishing a solid foundation for impactful programming. This has included meticulous targeting of households and beneficiaries, and the finalization of an implementation plan aligned with our current funding outlook. These steps, while often demanding, are essential to ensure that the limited resources entrusted to WFP reach those in greatest need.
The gravity of the humanitarian situation is underscored by our emergency assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees. At the same time, our nutrition programmes—which have reached 23,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women—reflect our ongoing commitment to tackling moderate acute malnutrition. While this is only a fraction of the overall need, it serves as a clear reminder of the importance of sustained and collective humanitarian engagement.
Despite financial constraints, school feeding remains a central pillar of our integrated approach. The finalization of agreements with education academies and cooperating partners, along with continued monitoring in 379 schools, demonstrates our resolve to contribute to long-term stability. These efforts—closely linked to nutrition and livelihoods—are designed to empower communities while promoting local food production and consumption. The potential for positive transformation, especially within schools, gives us cause for hope.
We also remain committed to supporting national systems for social protection and safety nets. The provision of transfers to vulnerable individuals and our active engagement in February’s National Social Protection Conference illustrate our ongoing role in this space. We were pleased to support the conference’s key outcomes, including the proposal for a unified national council for social protection, food security and nutrition, and the launch of a national universal health insurance scheme (RAMU). These are important steps toward greater equity and resilience, and we stand ready to contribute constructively to their realization.
In the area of resilience and food systems, our forward-looking planning and investment in local partnerships are continuing apace. Our support for five semi-industrial units producing fortified local foods, such as Misola, along with the 30 basic food transformation units at community level, exemplifies our commitment to sustainable, locally driven solutions. The creativity and determination of Malian producers are truly inspiring, and we are privileged to accompany their efforts.
Finally, I would like to highlight the critical role played by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). Operating flights to nine destinations, transporting both personnel and cargo, and expanding access to hard-to-reach locations such as Kidal and Menaka, UNHAS ensures that humanitarian actors can reach those most in need. Overcoming fuel shortages and access restrictions in areas like Menaka is a testament to the resilience of our colleagues and the strength of our partnerships—especially with our donors, to whom we are immensely grateful.
While the road ahead remains difficult, I am encouraged by the courage and commitment I see every day—from our team, our partners, and the communities we serve. WFP remains firmly committed to its dual mission: to save lives and to build lasting resilience. Personally, I remain fully engaged in working alongside our partners and the people of Mali to address hunger and malnutrition. I am convinced that through our joint efforts, meaningful and lasting progress is within reach.