West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (27 September – 04 October 2023) – Mali

Mali

The separatist rebellion claims to have inflicted heavy losses on the army

On 27 September, FAMa said on social networks that it had « foiled attempted attacks » by « terrorists » against the Mourdiah camp (southwest of the country). It reported casualties among the attackers, without giving further details. The same day, FAMa also reported another large-scale attack against its positions in Acharane, 35 km west of Timbuktu. JNIM claimed responsibility for this attack. This radical group released a video showing a large quantity of weapons and ammunition. Ex-rebels also claimed a complex Kamikaze attack targeted the Dioura (Mopti region) FAMa camp on 28 September and announced that they had killed several soldiers and wounded others.
Since the end of August, northern Mali has been the scene of renewed hostilities on the part of the CMA and intensified jihadist attacks against the Malian army. Operations have targeted several army positions since then.

Niger

More than 160,000 people affected by flooding

According to the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management, as of 2 October, there were 163,690 flood affected people (19,419 households) across the country. Figures show 51 people died, 14,591 houses collapsed, and 3,311 livestock killed.
The number of people affected by flooding in the country is more than 200,000 higher than at the same time last year. So far, the response is underway with assistance provided by the authorities and partner organisations which are responding within their capacity. But gaps remain in several sectors of assistance, particularly on shelter.

DR Congo

25 million people in DRC face persistent acute food insecurity

The recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on DR Congo, released on September 29, reveals a severe food security crisis. Over 25 million people, constituting a quarter of the population, are in a food emergency, marking DR Congo as a global food crisis hotspot. This crisis is fueled by evolving armed group dynamics and resource conflicts, exacerbated by longstanding geopolitical tensions, particularly in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where more than 5.6 million people are displaced. To combat this food insecurity cycle, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) seeks $106.4 million in 2023 for urgent livelihood support, including improving agriculture, livestock, and fishing, along with providing emergency assistance to affected communities. FAO faces an $80 million funding gap to aid vulnerable farmers in the upcoming January 2024 agricultural campaign. Additionally, the World Food Programme (WFP) urgently needs $629.6 million to address critical funding shortfalls in the next six months.

Burkina Faso

New school year starts with one million children out of school

On 2 October, UNICEF reported that 6,149 schools remain closed, as the new 2023-2024 academic year in Burkina Faso started.
More than 31,000 teachers and over one million children can no longer go back to classes, fearing for their safety. Meanwhile, at least 230 schools currently serve as temporary shelters for more than 52,000 internally displaced persons, further deteriorating access to education for thousands of children