Mali
Conflict in Mali - emergency response
BiramaKouilibaly(250).jpg)
© Birama Koulibaly/Handicap International |
The current conflict forced Handicap International to temporarily suspend its operations in Mali. Teams had been distributing food in the north of the country since summer 2012 in response to the food crisis in the region.
We are preparing to resume our programmes as soon as possible following the recent upsurge in fighting. Handicap International teams are currently on the ground educating displaced people about the dangers of unexploded weapons and planning to launch clearance operations as soon as possible.
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
Mali: Handicap International begins clearing explosive weaponsMali, February 2013. Handicap International has sent an explosive weapons expert to Mali to identify areas contaminated with explosive weapons and prepare for clearance operations to protect the local population. The initial findings are alarming and we are mobilising an emergency weapons clearance team to begin operations within days.
Mali: People’s lives are still at risk in TimbuktuMali, January 2013. Despite the departure of armed groups from Timbuktu, civilians continue to live under extremely dangerous conditions. In addition to shells and unexploded bombs, weapons abandoned by combatants previously in control of the city now pose a major threat to the local population.
Mali: Humanitarian aid must get through as quickly as possibleMali, January 2013. An upsurge in fighting in recent days has forced Handicap International to temporarily suspend its operations in Mali. The organisation, which has been distributing food in the north of the country since summer 2012, has asked its teams to take shelter and prepare to resume its civilian support programmes as soon as possible.
Our projects
 | Emergency risk education and weapons clearance Goal: To reduce the number of people killed and injured in accidents caused by unexploded weapons. We are working with communities to raise awareness about the dangers posed by unexploded weapons and how to keep safe. Handicap International teams have been carrying out weapons risk education with communities and displaced people in the north of Mali since summer 2012. We have now sent an explosive weapons expert to Mali to identify areas contaminated with explosive weapons and prepare for clearance operations to protect the local population. The initial findings are alarming and we are mobilising an emergency weapons clearance team.
Beneficiaries: People living in the Timbuktu region. |
 | Food safety and and access to clean water Goal: To improve food security for at-risk populations in the Timbuktu region by distributing food, clean water and seeds. We are working with the World Food Programme and UNICEF to ensure that disabled people and other vulnerable people are included in humanitarian relief efforts.
Beneficiaries: People with disabilities, displaced people and other vulnerable groups in the Timbuktu region and other parts of northern Mali. |
| Ensuring people with disabilities are included in emergency response in Mali and Niger Goal: To ensure people with disabilities are meaningfully included in humanitarian programmes by developing the training capacity and knowledge of emergency response partners. We help partners develop intervention strategies that recognise the needs of people with disabilities and to develop their own communication supports, training manuals and assessment tools.
Beneficiaries: People with disabilities and other vulnerable people, as well as the staff of partner organisations in the Republic of Mali, and the Region of Tillaberi and Abala camp in Niger. |
