Bamako, 23 July 2021 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is running critical healthcare programs in the Koulikoro, Ménaka and Mopti regions of Mali, including screening and treatment of acute malnutrition in young children, improving access to primary and secondary healthcare, and protection and response initiatives to support affected populations such as pregnant women. Through funding from the European Union (EU), the IRC is implementing rapid response mechanisms to address the immediate health and nutrition needs of Malians who face food insecurity or shocks due to displacement. The EU is supporting this program with a contribution of almost 3 million euros.
Armed conflict and political instability in northern Mali has caused the displacement of 850,000 civilians in the Sahel region, and displaced a further 330,000 internally, who have settled in the south of the country. On-going infighting between armed groups in the north has led to a shutdown of public services, including healthcare and education. As a result, families are seeking safe haven in the south, exacerbating regional food shortages and straining resources for host communities. In addition, prolonged displacement means households are unable to have a stable source of income, further hindering their access to food and other critical necessities. An estimated 161,210 children in Mali are acutely malnourished and require immediate assistance.
Funding from the EU has allowed the IRC to reach 98,000 individuals in total. The IRC has treated a total of 16,755 children under the age of 5, who were provided treatment for malnutrition. Additionally, the programs reached 9,196 pregnant and lactating women, who could access the free healthcare system introduced by the IRC in their areas. Part of the programming targeted IDPs and aimed at sensitising them towards the spread and prevention of COVID-19.
Alessandra Santucci, the Deputy Director of Programs of IRC Mali, said:
"Since 2012, the IRC in Mali has been able to aid displaced Malians affected by conflict and facing food insecurity. Funding from the EU has allowed us to run programs aimed at providing emergency relief for displaced and host communities, while simultaneously assisting people in increasing their savings through savings programs and income generating activities; providing increased access to primary, secondary and reproductive services and training community health works to address gaps in the healthcare system; working with communities to prevent and detect malnutrition; providing treatment at the health centre; providing essential psychosocial support to women, girls, parents and children suffering from trauma; giving access to water to the communities; training teachers, and creating better conditions for education through building infrastructure.
Additionally, during the pandemic, the IRC team adapted its programming and included COVID-19 prevention and response as part of it. The IRC was able to provide infection, prevention, and control equipment for health facilities, raise prevention and response awareness through radio broadcasts, and include COVID-19 messaging as part of all its activities."