Overview
Mali, a vast Sahelian country, has a low-income economy that is undiversified and vulnerable to commodity fluctuations. Its rapid population growth and climate change pose a threat to agriculture and food security.
Mali continues to face a deep and multifaceted development and humanitarian crisis, driven by persistent conflict, insecurity, and climate shocks. Violence, disease outbreaks, and environmental hazards have left more than 5 million people—roughly one in five Malians—in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian access remains extremely challenging, with 814 incidents recorded in 2025 where aid delivery was hindered, a more than 40 percent increase compared to 2024. These incidents included attacks on humanitarian workers, damage to property and critical infrastructure such as bridges and telecommunications antennas, further constraining relief efforts.
Ongoing military operations in northern and central Mali, expanding southward and westward, have created a tense security environment with recurring violence that disproportionately affects civilians. Women, children, older people, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are among the most vulnerable. By the end of 2025, nearly 415,000 people were internally displaced, including 30 percent women and girls and 58 percent children. The country’s exposure to recurring climate shocks—floods, droughts, and environmental degradation—has further compounded risks, particularly in areas such as the Niger River basin and among communities recovering from the historic 2024 floods. These overlapping crises continue to threaten food security, nutrition, health, and overall resilience, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian interventions alongside longer-term strategies to strengthen social protection, infrastructure, and community resilience.
Source: OCHA, 2026.
