Children at great risk as Mali conflict escalates, says World Vision

11 January – As the Malian army mounts a counter offensive against rebel forces being aided by foreign troops, aid agency World Vision is warning of severe humanitarian consequences if immediate steps are not taken to guarantee the security of children.

“Children are especially vulnerable when military operations are launched, and this latest move has to be managed carefully and those who would like to flee need a guaranteed safe passage out,” says Chance Briggs, the head of World Vision’s Mali office.

Governments committing resources to the offensive in the north have a responsibility to ensure children and their families are protected throughout the conflict, and that humanitarian organisations like World Vision can get help through, said Briggs.

“It would be intolerable to see more children separated from their parents, displaced from their homes, or cramped in refugee camps for weeks on end, not knowing where to go next or when they will be able to begin rebuilding their lives.

“Last year was a particularly difficult year for children around the country, and the ongoing conflict in the north threatens them further. Their needs must be prioritised, and international humanitarian law abided by at every step,” said Briggs.

Almost five million Malians are affected by the concurrent three crises namely, food, nutrition and military conflict. More than 400,000 people have already been forced to flee their homes, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. And as a military offensive begins, World Vision fears that more children and communities will be put at risk both directly as a result of the intervention, and indirectly as humanitarian access is affected. Humanitarian organisations in Mali estimate that the number of displaced people could reach 700,000.