Destitute Returnees, Displaced in Northern Mali Need Urgent Aid
Analysis:
The political turmoil and violence in Mali has decreased since August 2013, and with it the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, a different challenge has emerged for humanitarian actors; addressing the urgent needs of returnees, those who remain displaced, and families hosting IDPs in Northern Mali.
In this complex scenario, IOM - through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) - continues to gather and share information on population movements and the needs of the affected population.
According to the latest DTM report, 85% of IDPs surveyed intend to return home. However, infrastructure and resources in these areas are still severely weakened as a result of the conflict. Adequate assistance to these returning communities and families is therefore essential to ensure these populations are not forced to leave their homes once again.
Colin Williamson, IOM
Mali - The Malian regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal are now hosting nearly 196,000 returnees and 107,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and are in need of urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to IOM displacement tracking data.
IOM’s displacement tracking matrix shows that access to basic services such as water and primary healthcare, as well as shelter and income generation, are now major concerns.
Demand for already scarce resources has been exacerbated by the return of people displaced by conflict in 2012 and 2013. "People are continuing to return and communities in the north now need immediate emergency support in order to avoid secondary displacement," says IOM Mali Chief of Mission Bakary Doumbia.
IOM data shows that more northern IDPs are returning home from the south and the number of IDPs in the north is continuing to fall. More Malians are also returning from neighboring countries, where they fled to escape the conflict.
IDP tracking and monitoring activities act as an early warning system for potential future displacement. They also help the government and humanitarian agencies to better understand the needs of returnees and to incorporate village assessment data in planning.
The data indicates that communities desperately need access to basic services. There is a need to rehabilitate and construct water points and to establish mobile clinics to provide essential primary healthcare services.
Shelter packages, non-food relief items and income generation schemes are also needed to ensure that most vulnerable returnees have a minimum standard of living.
"IOM needs USD 10 million to address humanitarian needs in northern Mali and to provide emergency assistance to the IDPs, returnees and host families," notes Doumbia.
For more information, please contact
Juliana Quintero
IOM Mali
Email: juquintero@iom.int
Tel. + 223 90 50 00 13
or
Stefano Pes
Email: spes@iom.int
Tel. +223 90 50 00 02