Mali faces 'complex humanitarian emergency' as a result of displacement, food insecurity

"More than 435,000 people have been displaced in Mali, as the country faces a complex humanitarian emergency due to conflict and food insecurity, according to a new report released by the United Nations relief agency," the U.N. News Centre reports (8/16). "The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report nearly 262,000 displaced persons have registered as refugees in neighboring countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria, while another 174,000 are internally displaced in the northern towns of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal," according to United Press International (8/16). "The World Food Programme (WFP) says there are 4.6 million people at risk of hunger in Mali," Examiner.com notes (Lambers, 8/18).

"[The report] warned that the food security situation is deteriorating in the country as a plague of locusts in northern Mali is now spreading and is threatening agricultural production," PANA/AfriqueJet writes. "[It also] noted that health conditions are also a cause for concern as 140 cholera cases, including 11 deaths, have been reported in the Gao and Ansongo districts in the northern part of the country," the news service adds (8/17). "Humanitarian groups are increasing their efforts to curb a recent outbreak of cholera in Mali," according to an InterAction press release, which notes a shipment of relief supplies from InterAction members was sent to Mali and included water purification supplies, tents and high energy biscuits for malnourished children (8/16).