US $354 million requested in 2016 for humanitarian aid in Mali

(Bamako, 2 February, 2016): – Humanitarian organizations in Mali are seeking to raise 354 million dollars (approximately 200 billion CFA) in 2016 to help people affected by the crisis in the country. These funds are required to implement the third and last component of the 2014-2016 Humanitarian Response Plan developed by humanitarian actors in Mali. In total, 127 projects are planned this year to help one million people, mainly in the Northern and central areas of the country that have been affected by the conflict.

“The signing of the peace agreement in June 2015 between the Government and the armed groups is salutary and raises hopes. Its implementation should consolidate the progress made to date regarding the resumption of basic social services, reconstruction and economic recovery”, says Mrs. Mbaranga Gasarabwe, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali. "While waiting for longer-term efforts by development actors to bear fruit, it is imperative to continue to assist hundreds of thousands of people who are struggling to meet their basic needs and help them recover their livelihoods" she added.

It is estimated that food insecurity, malnutrition and the consequences of the violence that has affected the North and centre of the country will have an impact on more than 2.5 million Malians in 2016. In support of the Government, the joint response plan of UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs covers part of these needs, strengthening access of the most vulnerable people to basic social services and improving their livelihoods and resilience capacity. Prevention, risk reduction and emergency preparedness activities are also planned. The Humanitarian Response Plan will be implemented in close coordination with the interventions programmed by the Government and its other partners.

"Humanitarian assistance and recovery for the populations remains a priority in 2016 for the Government of the Republic of Mali" says Mr. Hamadoun Konaté, the Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and the Reconstruction of the North. "The efforts from humanitarian organizations support the sectoral plans from the different Ministerial Departments to provide an immediate assistance to the most vulnerable, to ensure the return and reintegration of displaced persons and refugees, and to support the victims of natural disasters," he added.

The requested funds for the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan will be allocated to the following sectors: nutrition, food security, health, water, hygiene and sanitation, education, protection, shelter and non-food items as well as economic and social recovery activities. The Plan gathers together 40 humanitarian organisations in Mali - UN agencies and NGOs - that coordinate their planning and response efforts. It is integrated within the Sahel Regional Humanitarian Response Strategy. The full document is available at: http://bit.ly/1OYWwqO