UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

March 2014 - Unrest and conflict in the north of Mali have displaced 472,000 people, including 171,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries to escape the violence. Fighting, banditry and land-mine contamination restrict the access for relief agencies to only some areas, where basic services such as medical care and water and sanitation services are gradually resuming. Refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, including protection, shelter, food, nutrition and livelihoods assistance, as well as access to clean water, health and sanitation services. With DFATD’s support and that of other donors, UNHCR is providing protection and assistance to 145,000 Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger. Activities include: (1) providing protection to refugees; (2) providing basic health services, education assistance, and shelter support; (3) helping refugees to gain asylum or find other durable solutions to their situations; and (4) providing income-generating activities.