Contribution in support of people of concern to UNHCR in Syrian Arab Republic, Niger, Mali and Uganda

The project aims at supporting vulnerable displaced persons through the reinforcement of the protection environment in the North and the Centre of Mali. In Mali, violent extremism, crime, and intra- and intercommunal conflicts – notably in the northern and central parts of Mali – are an ongoing security concern for forcibly displaced persons and their host communities, especially amid the absence of state security forces and social services in most areas. In 2021, the intensification of military operations in the three-border zone and growing insecurity towards the south of the country continue to drive new forced displacement. Protection monitoring reports highlight cases of murder, mutilation, assaults, arbitrary arrests, recruitment by non-state armed groups, and gender-based violence (GBV) including forced marriage and sexual violence. In addition, extortion of goods and theft of cattle deprive the populations of means of subsistence. Regular attacks on public infrastructures such as schools, health centres and roads limit humanitarian access and the delivery of basic services. Moreover, amid an ongoing socioeconomic and political crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already difficult humanitarian and protection situation and contributed to the increase of GBV and economic difficulties. Due to the ongoing insecurity in Mali, internal displacement quadrupled from 2019 to June 2021, to a total of more than 386,000 IDPs in the country. Despite the precarious security situation, the number of arriving refugees and asylum-seekers also increased from nearly 28,000 to more than 48,000 in the same period, largely due to severe insecurity in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. UNHCR aims to reinforce the protection environment in conflict-affected regions hosting displaced populations in Mali, and will work with partners to strengthen shelter/NFI interventions, reinforce registration and support to GBV survivors.

Contribute to the protection response for refugees