Mali - Humanitarian Assistance - Oxfam Québec 2016

February 2016 - Mali continues to face a multidimensional crisis characterized by conflict displacement and chronic food insecurity and malnutrition. An estimated 2.3 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2016. This includes over 60 000 internally displaced people who are struggling to access food water health care education and restore their livelihoods. Persisting insecurity and a lack of basic services in the country’s north also continues to deter the return of over 140 000 Malian refugees in neighbouring countries. This insecurity is expected to continue to constrain the ability of humanitarian actors to reach affected populations in 2016. With DFATD’s support Oxfam Québec is helping to assist up to 32 000 conflict-affected people in the Gao region. Project activities include: (1) building three new water points and sensitizing populations on improved hygiene practices; (2) providing hygiene kits benefitting up to 1 200 people; (3) providing cash for work activities benefitting up to 2 800 people; (4) providing seeds tools and technical support to local farmers benefitting up to 13 000 people; and (5) sensitizing local leaders and communities on human rights and conflict prevention.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to safe water and hygiene services; (2) improved access to livelihoods interventions designed to promote greater self-sufficiency and reduce negative coping strategies; and (3) increased capacity of affected populations to prevent conflict and protect the most vulnerable. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.