Mali crisis

Northern Mali has been subject to widespread violence since fighting broke out in January 2012 between government forces and armed groups. The conflict uprooted hundreds of thousands of people, prompting the Malian government to request assistance from French forces to halt the advance of rebel militias further south in January 2013. Although security is improving, fighting is yet to cease completely. Clashes continue in northern Mali, including terrorist-style attacks taking place in the city of Gao and reports of gender-based violence and human rights violations in central and northern regions.

240,000 people are still displaced within the county's borders and a further 190,000 are seeking refuge in neighbouring Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Tens of thousands of people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to lack of shelter, food, water, sanitation and security. Communities inside and outside of Mali are struggling to cope with these large influxes of new arrivals.

With Mali still in recovery from the recent droughts, providing enough food for everyone across the country is now a pressing concern. Despite rainfall increasing in 2012, the outbreak of conflict prevented the gathering of the harvest and planting of new crops. Damaged roads means transporting goods between towns is limited and food prices are rising. Rice agriculture in the fertile central area of Niono has suffered particularly badly. With Niono's harvest traditionally providing food for the rest of the country, millions of Malians are now facing serious food shortages.

Oxfam opened its first offices in Mali in 1984 and was already responding to a food crisis across the Sahel region when fighting broke out in 2012. Despite over a year of conflict and occupation by rebel forces Oxfam was able to continue its Sahel crisis response, reaching 78,000 people through food and hygiene kit distributions, restocking livestock and repairing water pumps and wells in the northern regions of Gao and Kayes. 

We are now preparing to launch two new programmes in Gao and Niono in order to respond to the latest challenges in Mali - reaching the needs of vulnerable populations displaced by conflict and their host communities who are yet to receive substantial humanitarian aid. Initiatives include the distribution of food, cash grants to stimulate local economies, fodder and vaccinations for livestock, latrine construction, access to safe drinking water, and promotion of health and hygiene to prevent cholera outbreaks. Households will be supported to re-establish themselves in their areas of origin and helped to return their lives to normal.

We are also providing support to refugees sheltering in neighbouring countries. So far we have reached 160,000 people through distributions of food, water and sanitation provisions, health and hygiene promotion and refugee registration assistance in Mbera camp in Mauritania, Goudebou camp in Burkina Faso and Abala, Mangaizé and Ayourou camps in Niger. 

Update: 7 March 2013