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Current Requirements (US$)$751.5 million
Analysis of the context, crisis and needs
Mali’s multidimensional crisis fuelled by insecurity, conflicts, climate change and lack of access to basic social services is causing dire humanitarian needs. The economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States in the first half of 2022 worsened the existing living conditions and reduced the State’s investment required for a return of State authorities and the provision of social services in conflict-affected areas.
An increase in the number of attacks, armed groups’ blockades of villages, restrictions on civilians' freedom of movement, and denial to basic social services and livelihoods is reported. The insecurity is compounded by the extension of the armed actors’ areas of influence, the use of improvized explosive devices (IEDs) and military operations. This resulted in the shrinking of humanitarian space and restricted humanitarian operations. Control over the mining and illicit trafficking routes is a main driver of the increased conflict between armed actors in the north, west and south-eastern border regions as well as the conflict in Burkina Faso.
The growing insecurity triggered the displacement of more than 440,436 IDPs, mostly children (63 per cent) and women (54 per cent), exceeding the peak of 350,000 IDPs in June 2013. In addition, Mali hosts 57,444 refugees from neighbouring countries, and 182,107 Malian refugees remain in neighbouring countries.
Mopti, Mali
A young girl eats rice.
WFP/Benoit LognoneAs of September 2022, protection actors reported 6,852 protection incidents compared to 5,124 cases registered during the same period in 2021. Other reports confirmed the deteriorating protection situation, with more than 800 serious children’s-rights violations (787 incidents in 2021) and 9,908 gender-based violence (GBV) incidents (5,486 cases in 2021), while identifying 1,929 unaccompanied or separated children, including 681 girls. Civilians remain highly affected by IEDs, as they comprise 40 per cent of the casualties compared to 28 per cent in 2021.
Food insecurity remains worrisome, with 1.8 million Malians (10 per cent of the population) in need of food assistance during the lean season. According to the IPC (Integrated food security Phase Classification) analysis, 32 out of 51 circles are in severity phase 3, and one circle (Tidermène; Ménaka region) is in critical phase 4.
Malnutrition levels are alarming across the country, with a global acute malnutrition prevalence of 10.8 per cent and a severe acute malnutrition prevalence of 2.1 per cent in 2022.
Moreover, more than 1,950 schools (23 per cent) in Mali are closed due to insecurity or used as shelters, affecting more than 587,000 children, mainly in Ménaka and Mopti regions.
Despite limited funding and access constraints, humanitarian actors reached 2.5 million people by September, and they project reaching 3.2 million people by the year’s end. The 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requested US$686 million to assist 5.3 million people. As of 2 November 2022, 31 per cent of the funds required ($210.6 million) was received.
Mopti, Mali
A child in an IDP camp receives a vaccination at a mobile clinic.
Save the Children/El Hadj TouréProjected situation in 2023 and beyond
In 2023, violent clashes between armed actors will increase across the north and centre of the country, exacerbating humanitarian needs. Increased security incidents are anticipated, particularly IEDs on main roads in the south-east Koutiala – Sikasso regions near the Burkina Faso border. Limited humanitarian access will likely impact humanitarian operations and the return of IDPs, State authorities and social services.
Food insecurity will continue to be of concern. According to the IPC analysis, 30 circles will likely experience the IPC 3 scenario, while six circles fall into IPC 4 (Anderaboukane, Ansongo, Diema, Gao, Nioro and Tidermène). Other sectors, such as education, WASH, protection, health and shelter, will follow this trend.
The compounded effect of the 2022 economic sanctions and global inflation will continue to increase the prices of basic household items, such as millet and sorghum. Price increases of over 100 per cent in the last year will further exacerbate vulnerabilities.
With chronic underfunding and unmet needs, there is a risk of widespread use of harmful coping or survival mechanisms, with children, girls and people with disabilities being the primary victims in 2023.
In 2023, 9 million out of 16 million crisis-affected people will need immediate humanitarian assistance, compared to 7.5 million in 2022, a 20 per cent increase. IDPs, host communities, returnees and refugees remain the targeted groups. The specific needs of the elderly with chronic diseases, children, people with disabilities, and pregnant and lactating women are prioritized subgroups.
Mali
Two children observe their shelters.
WFP/Benoit LognoneResponse priorities in 2023
In 2023, the humanitarian programme targeting will be based on people’s vulnerability (70 per cent) and people's status as IDPs, refugees and returnees, and use activity-based costing to improve the HRP’s transparency and governance. Furthermore, opportunities for synergies with the Government's action plans, CREDD+, stabilization of the central regional strategy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework have been identified in line with these three strategic objectives:
- Save and preserve lives and dignity of people with critical needs in crisis areas.
- Ensure minimal and equitable population access to basic social services and living conditions.
- Strengthen the emergency preparedness of vulnerable households affected by shocks in crisis areas.
Mali HRP
Intersectoral and multisectoral interventions, such as sexual, reproductive and mental health; food assistance; livelihoods support; health and nutritional emergencies management; GBV response and protection activities, will be implemented through cross-cutting approaches such as prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, accountability, including complaints mechanisms, people with disabilities, gender, cash, localization, environment and centrality of protection.
The HRP 2023 requires $868 million to meet the growing life-saving needs and deteriorating living conditions of 6.2 million targeted people. This is an increase of 17 per cent compared to 2022.
References
- Mali CMP Figures as of 30 September 2022
- Circles are the second-level administrative unit level
- Observatoire du Suivi des Marchés Agricoles (OMA)