EU-funded project strengthens resilience and access to essential services in central Mali

Bamako, Mali , September 2, 2025 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC), with funding from the European Union (EU), has successfully concluded a humanitarian program aimed at responding to emergencies and strengthening the resilience of communities in northern Mali. Implemented in the regions of Mopti and Ménaka, the project directly benefited more than 48,000 people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable members of host communities.

This 12-month initiative responded to the complex humanitarian crisis in Mali, where conflict, displacement, and food insecurity have severely impacted access to basic services. The project was focused on monitoring the humanitarian situation for sudden onset emergencies, assess needs and to provide emergency assistance in order to save lives. The IRC responded to 11 crisis alerts and deployed eight interventions to provide emergency assistance to nearly 5,000 displaced persons through multisectoral cash transfers.

The program addressed urgent needs in health, nutrition and protection, with a strong emphasis on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities.

The project also covered a health component, and deployed four mobile clinics to remote and isolated areas, providing curative consultations to nearly 40,000 persons. Over 10,000 children under five were screened for malnutrition and received curative consultations, and over 4,000 were vaccinated against measles.

Matias Meier, Country Director of IRC Mali, said:
"This project came at a critical time for the communities of Mopti and Ménaka where people are facing both acute humanitarian needs and chronic underdevelopment. Thanks to the EU's support, we were able to deliver life-saving services while laying the groundwork for future stability and recovery. The integrated approach allowed us to respond to overlapping vulnerabilities with a strong focus on protection, especially for women, children, and persons with disabilities.

As the project concludes, the IRC remains committed to supporting these communities through ongoing initiatives and partnerships."

The project leveraged community-based mechanisms to improve coordination and sustainability. Local leaders and communities were engaged throughout the implementation to ensure community ownership and long-term impact.