Desperate civilians flee the escalating conflict in Mali.

UK government announces further deployment of UK military personnel.

As the British Government announces a further detachment of technical military personnel to Mali amid continued fighting in the North and West of the country, World Vision has called on foreign secretary William Hague to help ensure safe passage for fleeing refugees.

"In just the past two weeks, 9,400 desperate refugee families, mostly women and children, have fled to our project areas in the South of Mali. Our priority is to work with them now,” said Justin Douglas of World Vision in Mali. "Over the next few days we will be delivering essential emergency supplies to those most in need.”

World Vision is working in areas which have now become the front line between Islamist rebels and Malian government forces, supported by French troops. Almost 21,000 World Vision sponsored children live in the city of Koro, Mopti region.

"Aside from providing psychological support for affected children, we are setting up emergency food distribution sites to reach those families most in need. We will try to reach different areas on different days to ensure we can support as many families as possible. But our work is difficult because the situation is worsening and changing all the time” said Justin Douglass.

Director of World Vision Mali, Chance Briggs, has called on all fighting forces to ensure that fleeing civilians are offered safe passage. "We want all forces to respect International humanitarian law, especially for the most vulnerable – children. We urge the UK and French governments to use all influence to ensure human rights are respected and that safe passage is given.”

World Vision volunteers have also begun advising on how to keep their families safe. Volunteers are going from door to door and reaching out to civilians in schools, churches and mosques. Advice includes warning children not to pick up or play with military ordnance such as grenades. Parents are also being advised to try and keep one month of basic food supplies at home in case the situation escalates.

Close to five million Malians are affected by the current complex emergency – a combination of food shortages, the impact of a severe drought and the conflict between local government forces and Islamic rebels in Northern Mali. Approximately 90% of the population live in the south of Mali, where until now most aid efforts have been based. However, in recent weeks many people displaced by fighting in the North are fleeing South, which is making what was already a difficult situation much worse