Mali: People fleeing their homes in areas affected by the clashes

"Over 550 people have fled to Sévaré from the town of Konna and the surrounding area," said Philippe Mbonyingongo, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sub-delegation in Mopti. "It seems that some of Konna’s inhabitants have escaped to the other side of the Niger River, while others have chosen to stay put."

There is acute concern about the fate of civilians who remain in Konna and Diabali. Currently unable to access either town, the ICRC and the Mali Red Cross will try to assess the need for humanitarian aid in villages on the edge of the conflict zones.

"Our priority is to help those who’ve been displaced or wounded," said Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of the ICRC delegation for Mali and Niger. "We’ll also be closely monitoring the welfare of the civilian population and striving to ensure that wounded and captured people are spared."

In central and northern Mali, the organization is working closely with the Mali Red Cross and its volunteers. The ICRC has around 100 staff in Mopti, Gao, Kidal and Tombouctou.

In neighbouring countries, the ICRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are closely monitoring the refugee situation, especially in Mauritania, Algeria and Burkina Faso.

Since January 10, the ICRC has also:

• Delivered medical and surgical supplies to Sévaré hospital
• Furnished Gao hospital with enough medicine and other medical supplies to treat up to 300 wounded Patients and provided the facility with electrical equipment, having already posted a surgeon and an anaesthetist to the hospital;
• Supplied Gao power station with 40,000 litres of fuel to maintain the water supply and cover people’s water needs for two weeks
• Stored sufficient food stocks in Mopti for up to 10,000 families.

The Canadian Red Cross is currently working in Mali supporting Maternal Child health programs and capacity building of the Mali Red Cross. The Canadian Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to assist if our assistance is requested.

Posted:  January 22, 2013