During a recent Council of Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko prioritized flood prevention and management strategies, calling for urgent action across government agencies. The session, held on May 20, 2026, highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts to mitigate seasonal flooding risks.
The Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation has been at the forefront of preparatory measures, including clearing drainage networks, inspecting infrastructure, and deploying emergency pumps. Sonko emphasized the cross-ministry nature of flood prevention, urging seamless collaboration under the leadership of the Hydraulics and Sanitation Minister, with support from the Interior Ministry for civil protection and crisis response.
Key directives were issued to government officials to implement immediate measures, including:
- Updating and validating all municipal emergency plans to ensure readiness for flooding events.
- Assessing and testing early warning systems and communication channels to guarantee rapid dissemination of alerts to at-risk communities.
- Pre-positioning intervention resources in flood-prone areas to enable swift response.
- Organizing a cross-ministry simulation exercise before June 15, 2026, to evaluate preparedness and coordination.
Sonko’s instructions reflect a proactive approach to disaster management, aiming to reduce the human and economic toll of seasonal flooding while strengthening Mali’s resilience to climate-related challenges.
