Mali

Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 188th out of 193 on the Human Development Index (HDI). This ranking reflects the many challenges that the country and its inhabitants face, particularly in terms of health, education and income. Since 2021, Mali has been experiencing a serious socio-political crisis, exacerbated by armed conflicts and inter-community tensions, particularly in the northern regions, such as Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, and in the central regions, such as Mopti, Bandiagara and Bankass. These areas are not only the most affected by the instability, but they are also among the most vulnerable in terms of access to basic services. Currently, about 12.9 million people are affected by this crisis - of a total population of 23.7 million -, most of whom are women and children. In addition, the country is facing extreme droughts and increasingly violent floods, which have an impact on agriculture and livelihoods, on which a large part of the population's food supply depends.

These events have led to the closure of over 1,300 schools, depriving thousands of children of their right to education. This situation increases inequalities and compromises the future of the younger generations, especially in rural and conflict areas.

WeWorld has been present in Mali since 2019, where we are actively committed to supporting the populations in the most vulnerable conditions, particularly in the regions most affected by the crisis. We are focusing our efforts on the one side in Douentza and Bandiagara in the centre-south - areas around Burkina Faso -, where we are working on food security, child protection, access to safe water and access to education, with a particular focus on internally displaced persons and host communities, and on the other side in Bamako, where we are carrying out a professional training programme and supporting access to employment for young people. In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, we are creating social safety nets and economic support programmes to help the poorest families. We are also working on the creation and restoration of educational spaces for children, guaranteeing the right to education in safe environments.

WeWorld responds with emergency projects, while also guaranteeing a long-term development plan. In Bamako, we are working in the city's sixth District to promote urban socio-economic inclusion and the protection of the population, through multi-sectoral actions aimed at creating opportunities and facilitating access to work, as well as preserving the urban environment, with a focus on groups in vulnerable conditions such as young people, women, displaced persons and returning migrants.

We are convinced that collective action can enable the Malian people to rebuild and regain a more sustainable future, despite the current challenges.