Mali: Security and Humanitarian Crisis, How to Help the Population

Mali rarely makes headlines. Yet, for over a decade, the country has been grappling with a profound humanitarian crisis, fueled by armed conflicts, insecurity, climate change, and chronic underfunding of the humanitarian response. This guide explains what's happening in Mali, why it's so difficult to provide aid there, and how you can take concrete action from France.

What is the humanitarian situation in Mali in 2026?

Mali is facing what OCHA describes as a "neglected crisis, with interconnected human consequences that go beyond the numbers." According to the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan presented in Bamako on February 5, 2026, 5.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in a country with a population of less than 25 million. The crisis is multifactorial: it combines persistent armed violence in the north and center of the country, climate shocks (droughts, floods), recurrent epidemics, and a fragile economic situation.

Key figures

Sources: OCHA Mali, 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan (February 5, 2026) and DNDS Mali

Why is the crisis in Mali so difficult to resolve?

The crisis in Mali is the result of an accumulation of mutually reinforcing factors over the past decade.

A deteriorating security context

Since 2012, jihadist armed groups and rebel factions have controlled parts of Malian territory, primarily in the north and center of the country. Military operations by the Malian armed forces (FAMa) and their allies have failed to bring lasting stability to these areas. Since 2021, Mali has been governed by a military junta, following two successive coups d'état. According to Human Rights Watch's 2026 World Report, General Assimi Goïta was elevated to the position of president until 2030 without an election, formalizing a lasting military regime.

Deteriorating humanitarian access

Access for humanitarian workers to populations in need is becoming increasingly difficult. According to OCHA, 814 humanitarian access incidents were recorded in 2025, a 40% increase compared to 2024. The January 2026 humanitarian access dashboard confirms a "profound transformation of the access crisis in Mali."

Climate shocks amplifying needs

Mali is one of the countries most exposed to the effects of climate change in the Sahel. Droughts, desertification, seasonal floods: these phenomena destroy harvests and livelihoods, particularly in areas where insecurity already prevents a normal life.

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Image : photo of displaced families in Mali, women and children in a camp or temporary shelter in the Sahel - alt: "Displaced families Mali Sahel humanitarian crisis aid Life ONG"

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How Life ONG intervenes in Mali

Life ONG operates in Mali within a particularly challenging operational context. Its programs adapt to accessible areas and the most urgent needs identified with its local partners:

• Emergency food aid : distributions of packages and cash for displaced families and host communities
• Access to drinking water : support for water points in areas affected by drought and displacement
• Emergency kits : hygiene, shelter, blankets for families without stable housing
• Education support : contribution to temporary learning spaces for displaced children, in a context where 2,300 schools are closed

Life works with local partners who understand the dynamics on the ground and can access areas inaccessible to international actors. To follow Life's operations in Mali, visit life-ong.org/urgences/mali. The donor relations department is available to provide you with precise information on ongoing programs.

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Image : photo of a distribution of drinking water or food aid by Life NGO in the Sahel or Mali - alt: "Food aid drinking water distribution Life NGO Mali Sahel emergency"

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Why donating to Mali is particularly urgent

The Malian crisis is structurally underfunded. With only 21% of needs covered in 2025, Mali is one of the countries most neglected by international donors. This disengagement has direct consequences: NGOs have had to refocus their intervention areas, leaving millions of people without any support. Every donation to Life for Mali fills a gap that institutional funding no longer covers. To understand how NGOs manage humanitarian emergencies in difficult access contexts, our article Humanitarian Emergency: How NGOs Intervene on the Ground explains everything. And to learn more about a Sahel crisis that shares many characteristics with Mali's, consult our article Crisis in Sudan: Understanding the Situation and Where to Donate. The situation of climate refugees, another prevalent category in the Sahel, is detailed in our article Climate Refugees: Who Are They and How to Help Them?