Heavy rains atttributed to climate change displaces thousands in the Mopti region in Mali
Mopti region in central Mali, already plagued by insecurity, has experienced heavy rains that have caused devastating flooding and led to massive displacement of thousands of people in the Djenne circle. This natural disaster due to climate change affected Syn, Soala, and Toro villages causing significant material damage of the villagers.
According to data collected by OCHA, more than 12,860 people have been affected by the floods. These people are currently living in absolute poverty as their crops, homes, and even their livestock have been completely washed away by the floods.
Mrs. Païto, 40 years old, mother of 8 children (5 boys and 3 girls) is one of the people affected by this sad event in central Mali as she told us.
A few square meters’ small tent, covered with tarpaulin serving as a roof, two mats on the ground and a few clothes in a bag, cooking pots scattered outside her new home. This is a resume of the environment she now lives with her husband and children.
"We were displaced here because of the floods that completely destroyed our village, ravaging our houses, food supplies and livestock. That day (when fleeing floods), we only had dugout canoes to evacuate the village. It was a difficult situation for us. Now we are seeking refuge in a completely empty space in the middle of nowhere.” Said the mother.
She added, “We were more than 2000 inhabitants in the village, unfortunately nobody is still there because all the houses collapsed in the water. The only building we left there is a school built in cement. Unfortunately, this one is also flooded and will not be practicable anymore if it is not rehabilitated."
The case of these displaced people requires urgent humanitarian action. Païto and so many other IDPs are living extremely difficult conditions. It is breathtaking to see how tortured they are. They stand helplessly in a completely empty space in the middle of nowhere waiting for a helping hand.
She continues "Here we have no food, no water, no shelter. We are asking for aid. Children rely on us. It is really sad for all the parents to be in such a situation. In all my life, I have never known such a situation".
With WFP, WV Mali is already working to help flood-affected IDPs as food has been distributed to 385 affected households in the village of Soala, and plans to help an additional 123 households in the village of Syn, in the Djenne circle. Unfortunately, the necessary funds are not in place to support the Toro village’s IDPs including the 40-year-old woman.
"NGOs have already come to our rescue with tents and food. I must admit that the food we received only lasted for the first week. We are hundreds of people in need.” She shares with us, her eyes fixed on the ground. As Ms. Païto testifies, World Vision Mali was one of the first NGOs to come to the aid of these needy people.
"When we were still in the village, we received food assistance from World Vision when we had a bad harvest. They (WV) were among the first people to bring us food this is why I call on them to help us."
Two large tents delivered by WV Mali will serve as temporary schools for the children of these flood-affected IDPs. Therefore, we are urgently appealing to our partners to support the thousands of people affected by this unfortunate event with food, shelter and non-food items.