Mali

About the Situation

Mali is considered among the poorest countries in the world—nearly one-third of its more than 14 million people are unemployed. And the vast majority of those who do work are in agriculture, which is an unstable industry in Mali considering that it is extremely vulnerable to droughts and locust invasions. The fluctuation and decline of gold prices, another major revenue source in Mali, also contributes to its weak economy.

Political unrest, droughts and the high risk of malaria in the region further strains Mali’s resources and worsens the living conditions for its people.

How Islamic Relief is Helping

Islamic Relief^TM has been working in Mali since 1997, helping victims of the country’s civil war recover from the devastation of conflict. Following its initial relief efforts, Islamic Relief’s focus shifted toward development projects to reduce the population’s vulnerability to drought and illness.

Here are some current and recently completed programs in Mali:

• Child friendly village
  This program helped provide universal primary education, reduced child mortality, improved maternal health, promoted gender equality and empower women, and ensured environmental sustainability in communities that are home to more 34,209 people in southern Mali.
• Malaria project
  More than 120,000 people in the Bamako region have benefited from a program dedicated to bringing awareness, education and preventative health screenings to protect high-risk individuals from contracting malaria. Treatments were also administered to help those who already have malaria survive.
• Mali vulnerable children
  IR constructed and equipped school facilities and a rural maternity center to improve health care, education, water and sanitation for more than 27,000 residents in Djitoumou. Locals were trained on techniques for sustainability so that they could learn the skills necessary to maintain the services independently.
• North Mali food sovereignty
  This project aims to provide the 42,000 residents of Gouma Rharous with the capacity to develop agriculture and irrigation facilities that will promote sustainable food security and income-generation mechanisms to empower the community.
• One-to-one orphan sponsorships
• Ramadan food distribution
• Water and sanitation
  More than 26,600 people living in Kaiti, Koulikoro, are receiving assistance in improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. This project also aims to raise awareness about water conversation and eco-friendly practices, and trains community members accordingly.
• Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution

Here are some pictures from the field:

HOW YOU CAN HELP