Mali is experiencing a prolonged multidimensional crisis, exacerbated by regional instability in the Sahel. Ranked 188 on the Human Development Index, the country faces challenges linked to development, poverty and the impacts of climate change, which further weaken the resilience of its populations. These challenges are compounded by the risk of natural disasters, the rising cost of basic necessities and the lack of availability of certain basic products, along with food insecurity and limited access to drinking water. Malnutrition remains a serious public health problem: the prevalence of acute malnutrition is 11.6 per cent, including 2.2 per cent severe cases; the prevalence of underweight is 21.1 per cent, with 5.5 per cent severe cases. The prevalence of stunting is 24.8 per cent, including 7.5 per cent severe cases.

Thanks to our Health and Nutrition programme we: supported 220 health structures, mobile clinics, and 45 ASC (Community Health Workers) centres; created 168 breastfeeding and nutrition support groups; treated 19,659 children for malnutrition; and provided nutritional supplements to prevent deficiencies to 3,305 children, among other actions. Action Against Hunger also helped to improve access to drinking water and sanitation through the construction and rehabilitation of water supply systems and wells, the distribution of emergency water, and the construction of latrines. Distributions of agricultural kits and seeds, as well as food assistance, vouchers and cash transfers were carried out for 227,904 people in the Timbuktu, Gao, Ménaka and Ségou regions. In addition, financial empowerment and social inclusion, risk and disaster management, the promotion of gender equality through women’s socio-economic empowerment groups or women’s access to agricultural land, and advocacy for policies adapted to humanitarian challenges were carried out.