Mali: Resilience & Nutrition Security
© Jan Svitalek
Support of rural agropastoralists in Sahel zone, through agriculture and livelihood activities, so they can face the problems caused by climate change, ongoing conflict and the resulting migration.
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Past aid programmes
Strengthening Resilience Through Improved Livelihoods for Vulnerable Agropastoral Households in the Western Sahel Zone, Mali
Extreme weather resulting from climate change has led to a significant increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mali. The northern Kayes region in the country’s southwest – particularly the districts of Yélimané, Diéma, and Kayes – is among the most severely affected.
In recent years, this region has absorbed an influx of climate migrants forced to relocate from the north in search of work in farming, herding, or fishing. As a consequence of this internal movement, the population density has increased in the south, leading to more armed conflicts and a greater reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today, some 7.2 million people, or about 35 percent of the population, rely on aid to make ends meet. The percentage continues to grow.
Making matters worse, the situation is not expected to improve anytime soon, with rising temperatures and decreases in annual rainfall projected for years to come. As people continue to struggle to survive, armed conflicts will hamper Mali’s development, negatively impacting the economy and leading to food insecurity and poor nutrition.
For these reasons, People in Need (PIN), together with our partner, Welthungerhilfe, has been implementing a programme in Mali since 2019 aimed at building up people’s resilience to conflict and climate change. The objective is to improve access to farmland and water, and to manage these natural resources for long-term use. Over time, these stewardship efforts should lead to more fertile land and increased food production, and in turn, enhance people’s earning potential.
The project also focuses on avoiding food waste with better food processing techniques, improving nutrition, and securing reasonable prices for surplus produce. As food security and livelihoods are strengthened, the hope is that this will contribute to greater stability in the region and reduce rates of internal migration.
In recent years, this region has absorbed an influx of climate migrants forced to relocate from the north in search of work in farming, herding, or fishing. As a consequence of this internal movement, the population density has increased in the south, leading to more armed conflicts and a greater reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today, some 7.2 million people, or about 35 percent of the population, rely on aid to make ends meet. The percentage continues to grow.
Making matters worse, the situation is not expected to improve anytime soon, with rising temperatures and decreases in annual rainfall projected for years to come. As people continue to struggle to survive, armed conflicts will hamper Mali’s development, negatively impacting the economy and leading to food insecurity and poor nutrition.
For these reasons, People in Need (PIN), together with our partner, Welthungerhilfe, has been implementing a programme in Mali since 2019 aimed at building up people’s resilience to conflict and climate change. The objective is to improve access to farmland and water, and to manage these natural resources for long-term use. Over time, these stewardship efforts should lead to more fertile land and increased food production, and in turn, enhance people’s earning potential.
The project also focuses on avoiding food waste with better food processing techniques, improving nutrition, and securing reasonable prices for surplus produce. As food security and livelihoods are strengthened, the hope is that this will contribute to greater stability in the region and reduce rates of internal migration.