Humanitarian assistance needs remain critically elevated across insecure regions of northern and central Mali, where escalating violence, disrupted markets, and mass displacement continue to erode livelihoods and access to essential services. Armed groups have imposed blockades on key supply routes, particularly in Gao, Kidal, Ménaka, and parts of Ségou and Koulikoro, severely restricting the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies. These constraints have driven up prices and diminished household purchasing power, leaving vulnerable populations increasingly dependent on aid.
The situation is further strained by a sharp rise in refugee arrivals, especially in the Koro district, where the number of Burkinabe refugees has nearly doubled since April 2025. This influx has overwhelmed local resources and intensified competition for food, water, and shelter. While southern agricultural zones are experiencing seasonal improvements due to early harvests of maize, legumes, and wild foods, conflict-affected areas remain trapped in acute food insecurity. Livestock losses from looting and distress sales have reduced access to animal products such as milk and butter, compounding nutritional challenges for both displaced and host communities.
Agricultural production faces additional setbacks due to reduced cultivated areas, limited access to inputs, and pest infestations. These factors are expected to result in below-average yields in key zones like Ségou, Sikasso, and Mopti. Although market supply remains relatively stable in secure areas, physical access to markets is severely restricted in regions like Ménaka and Kidal, where insecurity and road closures prevent the movement of goods and people. The cumulative impact of these disruptions has left many communities isolated and unable to meet basic needs.
In this context, humanitarian assistance remains indispensable. Aid organizations face mounting challenges in reaching affected populations, but their efforts are vital to mitigating the worst effects of the crisis. Without sustained support and improved access, the humanitarian situation in northern and central Mali is likely to deteriorate further, deepening the cycle of vulnerability and displacement. The urgency of coordinated action has never been greater, as communities struggle to survive amid conflict, scarcity, and uncertainty.