Finding Solutions to Mali Crisis

ACORD is supporting food distribution efforts, partnering with CARITAS.
Photo: Awa/ACORD

Mali's food insecurity crisis can be traced back to the advent of the crisis in Libya. The military coup of 22 September 2011 aggravated the situation further, leading to loss of lives and displacement. The northern region is under the control of rebels and religious groups. As a result, ACORD-supported livelihood projects in three regions of the north have been affected.

Massive population movements towards neighbouring countries have continued to be witnessed. The latest estimates indicate that more than 270,000 have assumed refugee status in neighbouring countries. In-country, looting, rapes, theft, ambush of NGO vehicles and kidnappings have made it increasingly difficult to access the affected areas.

The town of Léré, for example, has remained under rebel control since the month of January. At the time of occupation, workshops, field study trips and rehabilitation projects had been programmed by ACORD and its partners.

The alternative taken by ACORD is to reposition some project activities and seek ways to support the populations living in the most affected areas. The new programme sites are located in the Kita area in the region of Kayes where the food insecurity crisis is serious.

ACORD's Awa Diop Fall explains that besides the new sites identified, some projects in the northern parts of the countries are still active: "In Nampala region, ACORD's agriculture programme is in motion, supporting women producer associations".

"One of the projects being implemented includes a cotton production and processing industry. The women are making cotton threads, locally refered to as "Fallé", and selling them at competitive prices to weavers locally or across borders". This initiative is a sustainable source of income for women and also provides solutions to the development of local processing of organic cotton.

Also read about:
ACORD in Mali

  • mali