Mali - Humanitarian Assistance in Timbuktu Region – Development and Peace 2017

March 2017 - Mali continues to face a multidimensional crisis characterized by acute food insecurity malnutrition and population displacement. Despite the signature of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in June 2015 fights between armed groups in the North still occur. A majority of communities affected by the conflict still struggle to access food water health care education protection and livelihoods opportunities. In some areas the persisting insecurity continues to prevent the presence of State and development actors. For many families humanitarian organizations are the sole providers of essential services. With GAC’s support Development and Peace is helping to assist up to 13 048 conflict-affected people in Timbuktu Region. Project activities include: (1) constructing or rehabilitating up to 20 water points benefiting up to 13 048 people; (2) training communities on and improving their awareness of proper water treatment hygiene practices and the Community-Led Total Sanitation approach that mobilizes communities to eliminate open defecation; (3) providing support to caretakers of children with severe acute malnutrition to help sustain their stay with the children at the health centers and help cover transportation costs; (4) training mothers’ groups on community-based management of acute malnutrition practices; and (5) training up to 600 women in income-generating activities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to potable water; (2) increased knowledge of positive hygiene and sanitation behaviors; (3) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating severe and moderate acute malnutrition among children pregnant/lactating women and other vulnerable groups; (4) increased awareness of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices; and (5) increased access to livelihood opportunities for women. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.