Mali

The Tuareg rebellion led by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) followed by the unexpected coup of 22 March 2012 that overthrew the government of President Amadou Toumani Toure in Mali have contributed negatively to the challenges such as drought and internal displacement that were affecting the citizens. Local populations in the affected areas have been fleeing from mostly rebel-controlled areas of the north, towards the south of the country and neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mauritania and Niger. The situation has deteriorated in areas controlled by rebels including Gao, Kidal and Tombouctou.

Added to the socio-political crisis, Mali in the Sahel region is also increasingly threatened by desert encroachment. The competition for scarce water and land resources has led to more frequent local conflicts. The large number of small arms in the region further fuels banditry and violence. Culturally, the society is male dominated with huge gender inequalities and disparities. Pastoralists make up about 10 per cent of Mali's population and are considered to be among the most marginalised and vulnerable people in the country. On the positive side, an active and dynamic civil society is emerging in the region and under the new decentralised framework civil society is becoming instrumental in influencing policies.

Ongoing projects

ACORD has been working in Mali since 1976. We seek to contribute to the food security of marginalised communities through strengthened sustainable livelihoods and resilience in an environment of peace. We strengthen the participation of youth in peace building to counter violent extremism and also work for more inclusive peace building with stronger involvement of women.

>> Gender and women's empowerment: as a result of ACORD's gender sensitisation activities, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists demonstrate more respect for the role of women and girls in relation to food security. They are more concerned about women's welfare and recognise their rights.  Other spheres of development that put women in focus such as social equilibrium within households, schooling, health and child care have equally received support from community elders and decision makers. Men are more willing to accept that their spouses take part in advocacy and negotiation on matters that affect them such as migration of livestock in search of pasture in the West of the Sahel.

>> Livelihoods: our programme trains community members on agricultural production, conservation and transformation and enhances sharing of local knowledge in a bid to improve livelihoods. In addition, community leaders are regularly trained in environmental analysis and advocacy for policies that respond to the rights of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Every year around 700 people receive adult literacy education. Milk factories and cattle markets are  built and then managed by the communities to contribute to income generation. This has impacted positively on social perceptions and practices of men vis-à-vis women and the youth.

 

A WATER AND SANITATION PROJECT INSPIRES SOCIAL CHANGE IN TROKONINA VILLAGE

ACORD’s belief that people are the primary actors in their own survival and development is evidenced in the village of Trokonina in Kita, in the Kayes region of Mali, where ACORD is implementing a three-year water and sanitation project, thanks to the support of the Swiss Cooperation (DDC) through Caritas Switzerland. The project aims to improve access to safe water for household use and livestock consumption as well as access of communities to better sanitation facilities and hygiene practices. With the community at its core, the project aims to strengthen ownership and eventual sustainability of the interventions, including through methodologies like Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) which are very critical in building community competence to address their water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-related challenges.

Where we work in Mali

ACORD works in the regions of Kayes, Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal, Ségou, Mopti and the district of Bamako. ACORD has supported local organisations in Timbuktu, Niafunke, Youwarou and Tenenkou regions of Mali. These local organisations work with pastoralist communities to improve access to water, education and credit facilities. ACORD was also supporting women groups engaged in banking and cooperative entrepreneurship in Lere.


View ACORD in Mali in a larger map

Our partners in Mali

ACORD collaborates with local non-governmental organisations that demonstrate high levels of competence and capacity. These include AZHAR, GREFFA as well as many smaller organisations. This way, ACORD can effectively contribute to the development of capacities and expertise in the partner organisation. International NGOs are also important to ACORD's Africa-wide response to programmatic interests. Partnerships and alliance building processes are coordinated through the office in Mali.
ACORD has worked with Oxfam Intermon to campaign for economic justice for small holders. ACORD in Mali received valuable support from Caritas Suisse, CCFD-Terre Solidaire, CIDA, the Dutch Government's FLOW programme, Inter Pares, Jersey Overseas Aid, UN Women and the United Nations Peace Building Fund.

Photos, videos and publications

ACORD Mali programme overview: Two-page summary of country facts, country priorities, our partners, ACORD in Mali, project spotlight, ACORD's 2016 impact in numbers and contact information, updated June 2017
english | français

Study on women's participation in conflict management and peace building in Mali. Joint ACORD publication with UN Women, June 2016, 88 pages
français

Cycles of violence: gender relations and armed conflict:  What is the impact of war on gender relations? And can gender relations contribute to conflict?  Findings of ACORD's research carried out in five communities living in the shadow of violent conflict in Sudan, Angola, Mali, Uganda and Somalia.
english

Marching toward social justice in West Africa (DVD, 2011). Find out how marginalised and too often excluded communities in West Africa organize themselves and work towards upholding their fundamental rights, in particular their Right to Food.
english | français

Photos of ACORD's work in Mali can be sent upon request. Contact us by e-mail

How you can support communities in Mali

Your contribution to ACORD in Mali is guaranteed to make a lasting impact upon the most vulnerable communities. Peace-building efforts require massive and sustained advocacy and sensitisation of local populations. Everyone needs to be involved in the process for meaningful change in community interaction patterns, attitudes towards the scarce natural resources in the Sahel, and to nurture  peace and tolerance among members of communities.

Make a donation now! For more information on our work in Mali please sign up to our newsletter, visit your nearest ACORD office or call us.

  • conflict and peacebuilding
  • countering violent extremism
  • fragile states
  • fragility
  • mali
  • migration
  • resilience
  • women
  • youth
  • ACORD 40 years - 1976-2016



    Defending rights. Promoting justice.
    How we work - The ACORD advantage - Where we work - ACORD's impact by the numbers - How ACORD is creating sustainable change

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    Read more on ACORD's work in Agriculture and food security.

    Contact us in Mali

    You are welcome to contact the ACORD programme in Mali:

    •  by email

    •  by post

    BP 1969
    Bamako
    Mali

    •  by visit

    Hamdallaye ACI 2000,
    349 - 350 street, door 175, Bamako

    •  by phone

    +223 202 109 48

    •  by fax

    +223 221 8216


    Theophile Sarah
    Country Director for ACORD in Mali.