Despite growing risks and challenges, humanitarian workers uphold the commitment to serve #NoMatterWhat

Bamako, 19 August 2023,

Saturday, 19 August 2023, marks the twentieth anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. This violent attack claimed the lives of 22 humanitarian workers and left at least 150 people injured. The United Nations General Assembly has designated the anniversary of this tragedy as an occasion to pay tribute to humanitarian workers worldwide who remain committed to saving lives and providing assistance in increasingly complex crises, sometimes risking their own lives.

Since the start of the year, 62 humanitarian workers have been killed, 84 have been wounded, and 34 kidnapped, according to provisional data from the Aid Worker Security Database. In 2022, 116 aid workers died while carrying out their missions.

"On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, I express my sincere gratitude to our colleagues, national and international humanitarian partners, for their presence on the ground and their commitment to assisting people in need," declared the Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali, Mr Alain Noudéhou.

In Mali, over 350,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to armed violence expanding from the north to the central and southern regions of the country. The humanitarian space has also been shrinking due to access restrictions imposed on aid workers, depriving entire communities of humanitarian assistance. In addition, thousands of displaced households have lost their livelihoods, and most of the areas targeted by humanitarian action face emergency food insecurity, with alarming rates of severe acute malnutrition among women and children.

As a country located at the heart of the Sahel region, Mali is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. It requires integrated responses considering climate, security and sustainable development planning factors.

The humanitarian community in Mali, together with the Government, draws attention to the risk of a food and nutrition crisis threatening 1.7 million women and children. "Food insecurity and malnutrition are among the issues we strive to find sustainable solutions for in partnership with humanitarian and development partners. This assistance is often essential to saving lives and preserving human dignity," said Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré (Minister of Health and Social Development) in her message for World Humanitarian Day.

This year, despite security and access challenges, humanitarians from all backgrounds assert their commitment to supporting the communities they serve, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat.

"Together with Malian authorities, we remain committed, whatever happens, to mobilising the necessary resources to quickly respond to the needs of thousands of people, strengthen their resilience to shocks and prevent them from falling into protracted cycles of vulnerability," notes the Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali.

Note: The team managing the Aid Worker Security Database highlights that the figures for 2023 are subject to change following a verification process.

Resources:
Aid Worker Security Database
Promoting protection and health of humanitarian workers

NoMatterWhat Campaign

Photographs

Contact: Ibrahima Koné, OCHA Mali I +223 75995581