Challenges ahead for displaced people hoping to return home

 

By the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

 

 

 

In a camp for people forced from their homes by conflict in northern Mali, 600 people -- mostly women and children -- live in misery. 30 tents, some kiosks and a makeshift dwelling here and there form a labyrinth within the camp in Sévaré, a town in the region of Mopti. It is now home to 70 families.

Standing in front of a tent provided by the Mali Red Cross, Nana Traoré, a 52-year-old widow, is preparing breakfast for her eight children. On the menu is half a glass of boiled millet without milk or sugar for each child. "It is not enough but it's better than nothing," says Nana, who, a few months before her arrival in the camp, wandered the streets of Sévaré, begging for food to feed her family. "I lost my husband who was my sole support during an attack in Kidal," she says. "After his death, I fled with my children. Imagine this long march on foot and in trucks, with eight children."

A few feet away, her neighbour, Jaffar Maiga, 56, sings to comfort his two children who have not yet taken breakfast. His smile cannot hide his anxiety. A little more than a year ago, before the outbreak of the crisis, he was a prosperous farmer who lived in the circle of Bourel in the region of Gao. "I was the chief of the village of Derrienne and I had hectares of rice and millet fields which allowed me to feed my family properly," said Jaffar. "Today, with no work and no activity, I am forced to beg to survive."

 

The crisis in northern Mali has displaced thousands of people, including more than 260,000 who have fled to safety in other parts of the country. Many have arrived in their new home on foot, donkey, or by truck. Most arrive with nothing.

An estimated 40,000 people have sought refuge in the Mopti region, accepting assistance offered by host families or in camps. But the assistance, although well-intentioned, is not enough. They live in very poor conditions. And despite northern cities having been cleared of insurgents by Malian and French troops, people are reluctant to return home.

"We lost everything during the crisis. I do not even know what happened to my fields and my livestock," said Jaffar. "Returning home means restarting my life from zero. Without money to buy seeds and tools, it is impossible to cultivate my fields. So it is better to stay here."

Jaffar and his neighbours from the north now survive thanks to aid provided by humanitarian agencies, including the Mali Red Cross. They have received food and essential items including tents, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, soap, and kitchen utensils, as well as medical care. "Security is not guaranteed if we go home," said Nana Traoré. "At least here we are assisted."

 

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Mali: One year after the crisis began, needs remain massive and challenging

By Moustapha Diallo, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
 

A few months ago, several humanitarian organizations suspended their activities in northern Mali when cities such as Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal were still under insurgent control. The Mali Red Cross Society, with support from its Red Cross Red Crescent partners, and a few other organizations, braved the danger posed by the conflict to provide lifesaving assistance to thousands of people who remained in the north, and to those who ran to safety in the central and southern regions of the country.

 

In Mopti, in central Mali, where over 40,000 people have sought refuge, the society has been one of the leading agencies in humanitarian operations.

“We were overwhelmed by the sudden and massive influx of people fleeing from the north. The streets were crowded with people,” says Moumouni Damango, regional president of the crisis committee in Mopti. “The Mali Red Cross Society was the first humanitarian organization to come alongside us, bringing its experience and support.”
 

In the early hours of the crisis, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers were mobilized to provide first aid and to transport those who were sick to health facilities. They worked tirelessly to accommodate the displaced, provided them comfort and ensured they had shelter.
 

Given the deterioration of sanitary facilities and challenging hygiene conditions due to overcrowding, volunteers were also mobilized to raise awareness about hygiene, provide drinking water and organize demonstration sessions on water treatment.
 

“The displaced people now make up more than 7.5 per cent of the population of Mopti. Imagine the pressure in terms of water and latrines needs,” said Dr Mahamane Koumaré, Regional Director of Health in Mopti. “Fortunately, thanks to the Red Cross, prevention activities have proven successful. We have not recorded a single case of cholera in an area where it is endemic."
 

The Mali Red Cross Society estimates that displaced people make up
approximately 7.5 per cent of the population of Mopti. Moustapha Diallo/IFRC

 

Since the crisis erupted, the Mali Red Cross Society, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, Movement partners and other organizations, has distributed hundreds of tons of food to displaced people and host families. Essential items including tents, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, soap, and kitchen sets were also provided.
 

The needs of displaced populations and host families remain enormous. Living conditions are poor. Many are still traumatized from what they have witnessed and wait for a better security situation before returning home.
 

For those who want to return now, the way back will not be easy. Without assistance from the Red Cross, the UN and others it will be difficult to return and rebuild their lives in the villages they left. Plans are underway to ensure help is there when people do return.
 

The Mali Red Cross Society recently conducted an assessment to identify what people will need. Indications are they will need everything: shelter, water, food, health care and support in re-establishing their livelihoods. “One of the new areas of focus in our work will consist of putting in place a programme of assistance and support to returnees in the north," said Mamadou Traore, Secretary General of the Mali Red Cross Society. “To achieve this however, we will need the support of all. The needs are too great for us to do it alone.”

 

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Mali : les personnes déplacées hésitent à prendre le chemin du retour

 

Par le CICR

L'instabilité, les violences et les combats au nord du Mali n'incitent pas les personnes déplacées à retourner chez elles. De nouveaux déplacements ont même été observés, et ces groupes viennent s'ajouter à des milliers d'autres, personnes déplacées et familles d'accueil, qui peinent à faire face à leurs besoins essentiels, en eau et nourriture notamment.

« Si les déplacés hésitent toujours à rentrer, c'est essentiellement lié à un sentiment général d'insécurité mais aussi à l’impossibilité pour ces personnes de continuer d'exercer une activité économique dans un contexte aussi instable », explique Jean-Nicolas Marti, chef de la délégation du CICR pour le Mali et le Niger.

Pour les personnes déplacées et les familles résidentes qui les accueillent, les conditions de vie deviennent chaque jour plus difficiles. « Les timides retours constatés début février dans la partie centrale du pays ne se sont pas généralisés. La poursuite des combats invite à la prudence », poursuit Jean-Nicolas Marti.

La situation est particulièrement difficile dans le nord-est du pays, et des familles de Gao, Kidal et Tessalit vont encore chercher refuge loin de leurs villages d’origine.

Les personnes qui viennent de rentrer à Konna reçoivent des vivres du CICR.
Credit: CICR

Soutien à la population touchée par le conflit

Pour répondre aux besoins urgents des personnes déplacées, le CICR et la Croix-Rouge malienne ont distribué122 tonnes de vivres (riz, huile, semoule, sel iodé) à 6 600 personnes à Tin Zaouatène, une localité de la région de Kidal, dans le nord-est du pays, à proximité de la frontière algérienne.

Afin de faciliter l'accès à l'eau potable et améliorer les conditions d'hygiène des déplacés de Tin Zaouatène, des puits et des latrines sont en cours de réhabilitation. Des jerrycans et des pastilles de purification de l'eau leur ont en outre été distribués.

À Korientzé et Sendegué, dans la région centrale de Konna, 3 240 autres personnes déplacées et résidentes ont reçu une assistance en vivres.

Par ailleurs, si les conditions de sécurité le permettent, le CICR et la Croix-Rouge malienne prévoient, dans les prochaines semaines, de distribuer une assistance alimentaire à plus de 290 000 personnes vulnérables, déplacées et résidentes, dans les régions de Mopti, Tombouctou et Gao.

Hôpital de Gao : soins aux blessés

À la suite des récents combats qui ont eu lieu dans la ville de Gao, huit blessés ont été soignés dans l'hôpital soutenu par le CICR. Cette dernière semaine il y a eu au total 313 consultations, 45 hospitalisations et 8 accouchements dans cette structure, dont l'équipe médicale a été renforcée par l'arrivée d'un chirurgien supplémentaire.

Dans les régions de Tombouctou et de Gao, cinq centres de santé communautaire ont été approvisionnés en médicaments qui devraient couvrir les besoins pour les trois mois à venir. Cette action reflète l'attention particulière qui est portée à l'accès aux soins pour la population rurale touchée par le conflit.

Visite aux personnes détenues en raison du conflit

Des délégués du CICR poursuivent leurs visites aux personnes arrêtées et détenues en relation avec le conflit, notamment à Bamako, Mopti, Sévaré, Gao, Tombouctou et Kidal. À l'occasion de ces visites, il a été donné aux détenus la possibilité de rétablir le contact avec leur famille. Dans certains cas, des articles d'hygiène ont également été distribués.

Le CICR poursuit son dialogue avec les parties pour avoir accès à toutes les personnes arrêtées et détenues en lien avec le conflit.

Soutien aux services vétérinaires

« En raison de l’insécurité qui entrave la circulation du personnel et du matériel, l'accès aux troupeaux pour les services vétérinaires est devenu particulièrement difficile », explique Philippe Mbonyingingo, chef de la sous-délégation du CICR à Mopti.

Le CICR continue d'apporter son soutien à la vaccination et au traitement de plus de 1,5 million de têtes de bétail contre la péripneumonie contagieuse bovine, la peste des petits ruminants et la pasteurellose cameline. Cette campagne de vaccination, menée en collaboration avec le ministère de l’Élevage et de la pêche, vise à vacciner le plus grand nombre possible de têtes de bétail dans toutes les régions du nord du Mali.

Diffusion du droit international humanitaire (DIH)

Le CICR poursuit les séances de sensibilisation qu'il organise sur le droit international humanitaire, notamment auprès des forces armées maliennes et des contingents étrangers.

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Mali: Drinking water a priority in north

By ICRC

The humanitarian situation in northern Mali is still a source of concern. Displaced persons in the north-east corner of the country lack food and water. The ICRC and the Mali Red Cross are working to help people who have been affected by the conflict.

"The country is facing a difficult humanitarian situation," said Jean Nicholas Marti, the head of the ICRC regional delegation for Mali and Niger. "In the northern region, access to drinking water is still a big worry for recently displaced people in Tinzawatene, close to the Algerian border and in some other towns such as Ménaka, Timbuktu or Gao."


Aid distribution site Konna, Mali
Credit: ICRC

Teams of relief workers from the ICRC and the Mali Red Cross have handed out jerrycans and water purification tablets to almost 5,400 displaced persons in Tinzawatene. They are also repairing wells in the Akharabane and Achibriche areas, which are also near to the Algerian border, where there has been an influx of displaced persons. The situation is particularly worrying because residents are having to share their meagre resources with the newcomers.