751 million US dollars requested for the humanitarian response plan 2023

(Bamako, 31 January 2023) – The humanitarian community in Mali launched an appeal for 751 million US dollars to meet the urgent needs of 5.7 million people, over half of whom are women and children. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview, the targeted 5.7 million people are the most vulnerable of the 8.8 million people in need.

The Government of Mali hosted the official launch ceremony co-chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator, Alain NOUDEHOU, and Mr Oumarou DIARRA, the delegated Minister to the Minister of Health and Social Development, in charge of Humanitarian Action, Solidarity, Refugees and Displaced Persons. The appeal aims to mobilize the necessary funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 for Mali.

Many senior government officials, donors’ representatives and diplomats, humanitarian organizations, civil society and the media attended the ceremony.

The security context in Mali remains tense with increasing insecurity spreading north to south in different parts of the territory, triggering the displacement of over 412,000 people, mainly children and women, in the regions of Bandiagara, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu, Ségou and Menaka. This situation contributes to increasing the vulnerability of populations and the need for immediate humanitarian assistance. As a result, humanitarian needs have increased by 17% compared to 2022.

In 2022, with sustained support from the Government authorities, humanitarian actors delivered immediate life-saving assistance to over 2.9 million persons out of 5 .3 million people targeted by the humanitarian response.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in his opening speech pledged a stronger commitment from the donors of the humanitarian response plan, with the allocation of more flexible funds to United Nations agencies and national and international NGOs working tirelessly to meet the needs of the affected populations and contribute to building their resilience to shocks due to conflicts and disasters.

"It is important to capitalize on the achievements of the humanitarian response and development initiatives in Mali and to contribute to building a sustainable peace to lay the foundations of a rapid and lasting recovery", said Alain Noudéhou in his address.

The Malian Government is committed to continuing efforts to secure the country and protect humanitarian partners in their efforts to save lives and deliver assistance to populations in need. In addition to the population movements that generate increasing humanitarian needs, Mali faces the full brunt of climate change.

“Our country is at the heart of the Sahel and thus is naturally exposed to the severe effects of global warming. The Government is working to build stronger national capacities and technical services at all levels to incorporate an important component of anticipation and preparedness to climate shocks,” said Oumarou DIARRA in his launch speech. The Malian government official praised the efforts of anticipation and inclusion that result from the preparation of the Humanitarian Response Plan. He pleaded for better articulation between humanitarian and development programming.

Note to editors: The Humanitarian Response Plan is consolidated by OCHA on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team and humanitarian partners. It presents the priorities and parameters of the Humanitarian Country Team's strategic response, based on a shared understanding of the crisis, set out in the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023