Japan contributes $3.8 million to UNICEF’s emergency response for children and communities affected by the conflict in Mali

BAMAKO, 22 June 2021 - The Government of Japan has contributed over $3.8 million to UNICEF’s emergency response for conflict-affected children and communities in Mali. This contribution will ensure that 50 000 people, including vulnerable girls and boys, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities can benefit from appropriate access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and protection services. It is also aiming at enhancing the Government’s capacity to manage COVID-19 pandemic in the context of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

The multifaceted humanitarian crise in Mali is disproportionately affecting the most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach children and communities who continue to bear the brunt of a protracted emergency in the most affected regions. Climate change, chronic food shortages, natural disasters and population displacements have all compounded the situation and added to the challenges.

This contribution is instrumental in addressing immediate vital needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable development for the sake of vulnerable groups. The funding will support UNICEF’s efforts in reducing incidence of diseases linked to the lack of potable water, poor hygiene, and basic sanitation practices among 50 000 vulnerable populations including vulnerable and conflict-affected children, IDPs, host communities and returnees. It will also ensure UNICEF’s support to 6,340 crisis-affected children and women through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), socio-economic reintegration, gender-based violence (GBV) response and case management for child victims of violence and strengthening the national response to COVID-19 pandemic including the procurement of cold chain equipment (CCE) and  fostering institutional capacity for smooth roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. 

 “Between January 2020 and February 2021, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance increased by 37 per cent, from 4.3 million to 5.9 million, including 3.9 million children,” said UNICEF Mali Representative, Sylvie Fouet. “In the northern and central regions, more than 96 per cent of internally displaced persons live in areas where access to water is below the national average. We thank the people and Government of Japan for their timely contribution to help UNICEF, urgently respond to ensure access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, hygiene facilities and to critical child protection services and strengthening Government’s capacity to manage COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Japan remains committed to supporting emergency responses to children and their communities across Mali,” said his Excellency KUROKI Daisuke, Ambassador of Japan in Mali. “We strongly hope that our new contribution will benefit the most vulnerable boys and girls and their communities in Mali with appropriate access to protection services and appropriate access to life saving water, sanitation, and hygiene services particularly in this COVID19 pandemic time.”