Mali

© Nathalie Moindrot - Handicap International

1.16 million people in Mali live in a disabling situation, out of a total population of 13.4 million. Two thirds of the population suffer from poverty, and even within this group people with disabilities often face exclusion. Their situation is highly precarious with little or no access to care, education or social services, and even less chance of finding a job. Few initiatives have been put in place to prevent disabilities, both in terms of government services, and those offered by civil society.

Faced with this reality, Handicap International works to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in Mali and to ensure they play a full role in society as part of an inclusive local development approach.

Key Facts - Mali

• Population: 13.3 million
• Household Consumption: $582 per year
• Life Expectancy: 49 years
• Human Development: 160th out of 169 countries

^{Source: UNDP HDR 2011}

Our Activities

	The fight against HIV/AIDS A project developing accessible awareness-raising tools on HIV/AIDS, making screening centres accessible to people with disabilities, supporting the formation of associations, funding outreach activities, and connecting groups of peeople with disabilities with key actors in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
	Prevention and management of diabetic foot problems This project trains health and functional rehabitation personnel, educates diabetic patients, strengthens patient organisations and develops social inclusion and sporting activites promoting disease management.
	Reproductive health Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the regions of Gao and Timbuktu, by improving the quality and accessibility of care-management (including for disabled women).
	Functional Rehabilitation Project This project works with partners to organise a sustainable orthopaedic and orthopaedic fitting system in Mali at a national and regional level, to improve access to rehabilitation services, and to fund orthopaedic fitting for those who cannot afford it via a solidarity fund.
	Social inclusion Providing technical and financial support to schools and associations to develop cultural, sporting and leisure activities for people with disabilities, especially children.
	Regional inclusion coordination Mobilising political, economic, social and cultural stakeholders from the Cercle of Gourma Rharous in support of joint inclusive local development activities that take into account the needs and expectations of people with disabilities.
	Professional inclusion This project seeks to empower people with disabilities by improving their abilities in relation to the job market and by helping them access formal employment, self-employment and loans. The project also aims to prepare the socio-professional environment for larger-scale initiatives, by challenging unfavourable prejudices held by the public and employers.
	Skills exchange network Improving the self-confidence of people with disabilities, and encouraging their social inclusion, through the launch of a skills exchange network.
	Promoting the rights of persons with disabilities This project aims at collecting and disseminating information on disability, raising awareness among government and civil society, strengthening the voluntary sector through skills development, awareness and advocacy activities, and developing pilot projects in inclusion.