Mali: United Nations (UN) relief chief visits crisis-hit communities, pledges stronger partnership

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, is in Mali on a three-day visit that began yesterday. 

While in the country, he will meet with Government officials, humanitarian partners and people affected by the crisis to discuss humanitarian needs and response.

Yesterday, Fletcher held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, and the Minister of Health and Social Development, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, on their shared commitments to strengthening their partnership to support the delivery of life-saving assistance, as well as development and anticipatory action.

Today, Mr. Fletcher visited Gao, in the country’s northeast. He met with displaced families, humanitarian and development partners and visited climate change-related projects funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund. 

This year, more than 5 million people across the country – or 1 in five people – need humanitarian assistance. Insecurity, climate shocks and displacement continue to push vulnerable families to the brink.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).