Insecurity in Mali: Children are paying the heaviest price

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Representative in Mali, Pierre Ngom– to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

Geneva, 26 Sept 2023 – “Children continue to pay the highest price of a gravely worsening security crisis in Mali. Dozens have been killed this month alone in the north and the centre.

“Shrinking humanitarian access and growing internal displacement of populations are fuelling a child malnutrition crisis with one million under five children at risk, amidst resurgence of polio, and a measles epidemic.

“Elements of Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) have claimed a series of attacks against Malian Security Forces positions in Gao, as well as recurrent shellfire against the airport and military outposts in Timbuktu. Since 8th August 2023, elements of NSAGs are imposing a blockade on Timbuktu city, by cutting off the main supply routes. On 7th September 2023, an attack on a boat on the Gao-Timbuktu axis resulted in the death of at least 24 children.

“The ongoing attacks continue are creating chaos for children. With just a few weeks until the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 1,500 out of 9,000 schools are not functional, partly because of insecurity. In all half a million children are affected.

“Heightened insecurity has been further amplified by MINUSMA’s ongoing departure and is a clamp to the Algiers accords and the inter-Malian dialogue.

“Investments in peace and security must go hand in hand with getting all children in school and learning, fully vaccinated, protected from grave violations, and free from malnutrition.”

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