缅北禁地

25 January 2016 鈥� Wrapping up visit to Mal, the United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, said that he had seen both progress and challenges on security and access to basic services for crisis-affected communities, while underscoring the importance of full commitment 鈥� from national authorities and the international community 鈥� to move the country forward.

鈥淢ali is at a turning point in its history and the authorities must remain fully committed to seizing this opportunity. At the same time, the international community must maintain and scale up its support to enable people to realize their expectation for peace, justice and development,鈥� said Mr. Lanzer in a听听from the capital, Bamako, at the end of his 18-22 January visit to the country.

鈥淚mportant progress has been made; schools have reopened and access to safe water and essential healthcare has improved,鈥� he continued, adding that sustained 鈥渞edeployment of State authorities is essential if we are to consolidate existing gains and strengthen the much needed recovery and resilience work with the support of humanitarian and development partners.鈥�

In the North of the country and in Bamako, Mr. Lanzer met with members of the Government, local authorities, civil society organizations and humanitarian partners. He also visited Gao and Kidal to meet people affected by the crisis and visit aid projects.

鈥淭he youth, women and community leaders I met all have a vision for the future of their society; and they want to be part of its shaping,鈥� stressed Mr. Lanzer.

While noting that progress was less significant in areas of persisting insecurity, which yielded hampered aid, vulnerability and precarious conditions, the 缅北禁地Humanitarian Coordinator saw significant improvement resulting from relief work and the return of some administration personnel.

Mr. Lanzer鈥檚 mission took place just after the Humanitarian Coordinator for Mali, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe, assessed the needs and challenges on the ground in northern Mali 鈥� encompassing Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal 鈥� including within the context that the humanitarian actors were operating.

鈥淭he signature of the Peace Agreement and its implementation by all parties should allow for broader humanitarian access to meet people鈥檚 urgent needs, as well as working with authorities to strengthen communities鈥� self-reliance and autonomy,鈥� said Ms. Gasarabwe.

Through concerted efforts, humanitarian actors in the country assisted more than a million-and-a-half people last year. Water distribution and electricity systems in the main urban centres were rehabilitated with the support of partners from the stabilization sector.

鈥淒uring the coming months, expected improvements in the security situation will be essential to ensure populations鈥� access to basic services,鈥� she added.

However, significant needs remained, such as access to water in rural areas and Kidal; maintenance of public health and livestock conditions; and support for the next planting season, to safeguard household food security.

The humanitarian response plan for Mali, which involves partnering 缅北禁地and non-governmental agencies, called for $354 million this year and included a crucial component to build community resilience.

The country鈥檚 Government, with the support of 缅北禁地agencies and programmes as well as the 缅北禁地Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (), has been seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup d'茅tat, and renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels.