-
Current Requirements (US$)$577.9 million
-
-
Current People Hyper Prioritized1.5 million
-
Current Hyper Prioritized Requirements$329.2 million
GHO estimates at launch (8 December 2025)
Crisis overview
Mali continues to face a complex crisis driven mainly by a volatile security environment and exacerbated by structural vulnerabilities, socio-economic challenges, and climate shocks. This crisis continues to generate severe humanitarian needs, particularly in areas affected by insecurity in the north, center, and increasingly in parts of the south and west of the country. The impact of this crisis is visible across all sectors. Food insecurity and malnutrition – both chronic challenges – are exacerbated by insecurity, high prices, and climate shocks. Insecurity continues to displace families and disrupt education, leading to frequent school closures and children dropping out. Violent clashes and blockade tactics expose the population to protection risks, including forced evictions from villages, illegal taxation, looting of livestock or property, restricted access to crops and fields, and sexual violence. The past months have seen an increase in the use of improvised explosive devices and drones, exacerbating humanitarian access and the free movement of civilians.
Timbuktu, Mali
A group of displaced and repatriated women have formed an association to cultivate a vegetable garden, helping them feed their families and rebuild their dignity after losing so much.
OCHA/Ramatoulaye Moussa MazouAs a result of these factors, humanitarian partners estimate that some 5.1 million people – or about 20 per cent of Mali’s population – will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2026. Although severe needs persist, this figure is about 24 per cent lower than last year, which reflects a methodological change that significantly tightens criteria to define people in need, rather than any major improvement in the situation. This year, humanitarian partners included locations with an inter-sector needs severity rating of three or higher and only if this severity of needs was generated by shocks (insecurity, climate, disease outbreaks) rather than chronic vulnerabilities, as well as neighbouring areas that suffered indirect consequences resulting from these shocks. This approach is in line with the globally endorsed Joint Integrated Analysis Framework (JIAF).
Response priorities and financial requirements for 2026
In 2026, humanitarian partners in Mali will aim to assist 3.8 million people across the country with humanitarian assistance and protection. This represents about 15 per cent of the Malian population, as well as 75 per cent of the number of people in need. It is also a 19 per cent reduction compared to last year, reflecting both the reduction in people in need, mainly due to methodological changes, as well as the in-country capacity of humanitarian partners to deliver in the highest-need areas. This year’s response will focus on the three strategic objectives : saving lives, promoting the centrality of protection, and sustaining livelihoods, primarily in the highest-need areas of northern and central Mali.
Humanitarian access in Mali has faced increasing challenges over the last year, primarily due to insecurity, including greater threats of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Access incidents reported by partners from January to September 2025 rose by nearly 50 per cent compared to the same period in 2024 – mainly driven by increasing IED incidents. Despite this challenge, partners can work in most parts of the country, relying on community engagement, dialogue and close coordination with Malian authorities.
Timbuktu, Mali
A mother of five, Zeinaba attends cooking and nutrition demonstrations and applies what she learns at home. These sessions promote healthy, balanced diets using local ingredients and raise awareness among mothers about the importance of breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding.
UNOCHA/Ramatoulaye Moussa MazouHumanitarian action in Mali remains chronically under-funded, with only 16 per cent of 2025 requirements met as of 6 November – or the sixth-lowest rate among all HNRPs globally. To deliver the 2026 GHO, humanitarian partners in Mali are seeking $551 million – or roughly 28 per cent less than last year. This reduction reflects the drop in targets outlined above, itself linked to tighter inclusion criteria introduced this year.
Given the extremely challenging global funding crisis, partners have also identified “hyper-prioritized” targets and requirements within full-year totals. Top-priority assistance would go to 2 million people facing the most severe needs (53 per cent of total) at $392.8 million (71 per cent of total).
Mali
2025 in review: Response highlights and consequences of inaction
Response highlights
Malnutrition
Over 218,000 children treated for severe acute malnutrition (98% of target)
Health
1.3 million people received healthcare (59% of target)
Nutrition
1.2 million people reached with nutrition assistance (53% of target)
Psychosocial support services
Over 68,000 children, close to 50% of whom are girls, benefitted from psychosocial support and child-friendly spaces
Segou, Mali
A mother who has received training in diagnosing malnutrition is on hand to demonstrate how to measure upper arm circumference. This method facilitates rapid screening and improves the quality of care provided by specialist services.
UNOCHA/Ibrahima KoneConsequences of funding cuts
Education
Without education support: Over 2,000 schools closed due to insecurity and violence (affecting more than 610,000 children and 12,200 teachers)
Food production
Without farmland rehabilitation: Estimated 30 per cent to 40 per cent drop in food production due to flooding
Gender based violence
Without GBV services : 72 per cent of localities in northern and central Mali lack any GBV service due to funding shortages
Life-saving programmes
Without funds for local partners: At least 45% of life-saving programmes implemented by local NGOs disrupted