Support to Human Security in Northern Mali Through Building the Resilience of Youth and Women

Between January 2012 and June 2013, northern regions of Mali endured months of conflict. Vulnerable communities in Timbuctoo, Gao and Kidal bore the brunt of violent clashes between armed groups and Government troops as people were forced to flee their homes and young people feared recruitment by rebel groups. As a direct consequence of the conflict, the local economy has stagnated, livelihood opportunities are limited, and households struggle to purchase the food they need as prices continue to rise. Furthermore, basic social services such as education, sanitation and health facilities have rapidly deteriorated and there is a worrying increase in sexual and gender-based violence, with the number of HIV cases and other sexually transmitted diseases on the rise. While incidences of violence continue to erupt in the region, the signing of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement gives hope for peace. However, the transition towards durable peace and sustainable development must begin by healing the scars of conflict and addressing the underlying causes of unrest in northern Mali.

The programme’s goals are the consolidation of peace and stability; the diversification of economic opportunities; and the establishment of social and economic recovery in crisis-affected regions of northern Mali. This will be achieved by: (i) providing sustainable economic opportunities for the most vulnerable groups, in particular youth and women; (ii) improving access to basic social services including clean water, sanitation, health care and education; and (iii) building community resilience to future crisis by promoting peaceful coexistence and integrating the human security approach.

KEY MATERIALS
Programme Summary
FAO News from the Field “Youth Employment in Mali – Generating job opportunities to strengthen resilience of rural young populations”
Observation Paper on civil society motivations in the formulation of evidence-based approaches towards a security-based strategy in Mali (« Les motivations de la société civile dans l’élaboration d’approches factuelles d’une stratégie de la sécurité humaine au Mali »)