WHO leads health cluster coordination to address Mali’s humanitarian crisis
Since 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained its role as the primary coordinator for health sector partners in Mali. As of 2025, the nation is grappling with a severe humanitarian emergency, affecting approximately 6.4 million individuals—roughly 28% of the total population. Despite the urgency of the situation, the humanitarian response plan remains significantly underfunded, with only 8.5% of the required budget secured, and a mere 6% allocated specifically to the health sector, which severely limits the ability of aid organizations to meet pressing needs.
To address these critical gaps, the second reserve allocation from the FHRAOC for Mali has been activated. This funding specifically targets communities displaced by armed conflict and instability, with a primary focus on the regions of Gao, Mopti, and Ségou. The prioritization of medical aid within this fund is a direct result of advocacy by WHO, which utilized evidence-based data to highlight the extreme vulnerability and limited healthcare access faced by these populations.
