$7.1m disbursed to drought regions in Mali

There is hope for more than 200,000 people in drought-affected regions of Mali after the World Food Programme announced it would disburse $7.1 million as climate risk insurance for the region by the African Risk Capacity.

In a statement released on Sunday, the United Nations food body said this allocation will enable it to complement the government of Mali's efforts, since WFP and government response plans have been jointly prepared and will be implemented in a coordinated manner to achieve significant results.

Sally Haydock, WFP country director and representative for Mali, said the impact of the drought is clearly visible in the affected communities and could prove devastating for many families. Cereal production has declined and pasture and water for livestock have dwindled, forcing people to sell their livestock.

"This payout comes at a crucial time," she said. "It helps families adapt to the most severe impacts of climate change and safeguard their livelihoods."

The WFP intends to use the climate insurance payment to provide early food assistance through cash transfers to 161,000 women, men and children affected by climate shocks. In addition, more than 20,000 children aged 6-23 months, as well as expectant and nursing mothers, will receive nutritional support and services. 

"To build community resilience to climate shocks, 23,000 people will benefit from programs to build community assets such as pastoral wells, water towers and fishponds that will help diversify their production and livelihoods and reduce the impact of future rainfall deficits," WFP said in a statement.

The African Risk Capacity, a specialized agency of the African Union, was established in 2012 to help African governments improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to natural disasters triggered by extreme weather events, as well as outbreaks and epidemics. 

Dicko Bassa Diane, deputy commissioner of the Food Security Commission of Mali, said the African Risk Capacity is a good program that complements and supports the efforts of the Malian government in the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. 

"The government's strategy is to provide half rations to populations in food crisis to contribute to the national solidarity. Our common interest is to work together to relieve populations affected by drought and strengthen their resilience to climate shocks, with innovative solutions such as those proposed by the mutual African Risk Capacity," Diane said. 

Last week, the UN with humanitarian partners launched the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Mali, seeking $686 million from donors to help 5.3 million of the most vulnerable people in the country.

According to the UN, more than 1.8 million people in Mali are expected to need food assistance this year compared to 1.3 million last year, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014. Ongoing conflict, political instability and the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 are key factors driving the severe food shortages in the country. 

WFP says last year, Mali experienced its worst rainfall shortage in five years, caused by spells of drought and low rainfall, which compromised the country's agricultural production.