KEY FIGURES 730 birth certificates were delivered t Mauritanian refugee children in the regin f Kayes Ivrian refugees in Mali prepare fr their vluntarily repatriatin t Ivry Cast n 21 December in Bamak. Pht Credit UNHCR Mali HIGHLIGHTS UNHCR MALI OPERATIONAL UPDATE 1-31 December 2016 300 urban refugee children and hst cmmunity children participated in UNHCR s Christmas festivities in Bamak 193 returned refugees and hst cmmunity members participated in WASH sensitizatin sessins arund newly restred water pints in Mpti regin FUNDING USD 49.2 millin requested fr the peratin Funded 5% Gap 95% UNHCR and its partner, La Cmmissin Natinale Chargée des Réfugiés (CNCR) supprted the vluntary repatriatin f 94 Ivrian refugees t help them return hme t Ivry Cast in safety and dignity. Since September 2016, UNHCR, thrugh its partner Mercy Crps, has supprted the Gvernment f Mali in prviding a ne-time cash based assistance t 2,437 refugee returnees in Ga, Menaka, Mpti, and Timbuktu. This assistance supprts the reintegratin f refugee returnees by helping them access self-determined basic needs. 74 prtectin incidents were identified by UNHCR s partner, Assciatin Malienne pur la Survie du Sahel (AMSS), amng frcibly displaced persns and hst cmmunity members in the regins f Ga, Menaka, Mpti, Kidal and Timbuktu. Ppulatin f cncern (Octber 2016) IDP returnees (gv't) 474,231 Malian refugees 135 985 PRIORITIES 850 Malian IDP returnee husehlds targeted t receive adequate and durable shelter 6,000 Malian refugee returnees targeted t receive a ne-time cash-based assistance 2,500 Mauritanian refugees and lcal cmmunity members targeted t receive imprved access t ptable water 1,000 refugee children targeted t receive educatinal supprt IDPs (gv't) Refugee returnees (gv't) Refugees in Mali (mixed rigin) Asylum Seekers (mixed rigin) 36,690 55 539 17,858 363 1
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali UPDATE ON ACHIEVEMENTS Operatinal Cntext UNHCR cntinues t perate in a vlatile security envirnment with threat f terrrism, criminality and intercmmunity vilence affecting humanitarian access in nrthern and central Mali. In the nrth, vilatins f basic human rights are reprted and certain lcal ppulatins cntinue t lack access t public services, dcumentatin, water, educatin and fd security. Sme 135,834 Malian refugees remain in neighburing cuntries and 36,690 internally displaced persns in Mali are waiting t see whether cnditins in their area f rigin imprve t enable them t return in safety and dignity. The vlatile security envirnment cntinues t destabilize lcal cmmunities, jepardize the prtectin f civilians, and prevent frcibly displaced persns frm returning t their hmes, while further threatening their access t already limited basic scial services. In the central regins f Mpti and Ségu, it has been bserved that civilian ppulatins are facing mre difficulty accessing health facilities as a result f increasing pressure (intimidatin, smetimes destructin) by extremist grups. Medical persnnel have been frced t flee cncerned villages thus impacting civilians wh need t travel lnger distances t seek medical assistance. The implementatin f the Algiers Agreement n Peace and Recnciliatin cntinues t face challenges thugh sme advances were bserved with respect t the deplyment f mixed patrls and the cantnment prcess. The Operatinal Crdinatin Mechanism respnsible fr establishing mixed patrls and prtecting cantnment sites made a decisin t cmmence mixed patrls in early January in Ga regin. The frmer rebel calitin Crdinatin des muvements de l Azawad (CMA) had publicly annunced its retreat frm the Agreement Mnitring Cmmittee (CSA) n 19 December citing the lack f prgress in the implementatin f the accrds and the heightened vilence. The CMA called fr a high level meeting with an expanded internatinal mediatin in rder t preserve the credibility f the peace prcess and actrs invlved. The threat f terrrism and criminality persists with security frces facing almst daily attacks in the nrthern and central regins. In the nrthern regins, the threats f IED and abductin f Westerners remain high, while the central regins face increasing threats frm active extremist armed grups. This mnth saw numerus incidents affecting aid rganizatins. On 28 December, three UNHCR staff members were victims f a carjacking whereby the assailants stle a UNHCR armured vehicle in the twn f Timbuktu. Staff members were unharmed, but the vehicle remains missing. A French-Swiss aid wrker with a lcal NGO was kidnapped in Ga n 24 December and remains missing. On 21 December, armed individuals brutalized a lcal gvernment fficer in Menaka regin threatening the wrker t add them nt a list f cash assistance beneficiaries. On 17 December, three armed men rbbed persnnel f tw NGOs, including ne f UNHCR s partners, stealing mney intended t assist vulnerable ppulatins in the districts f Gargand and Bintagugu in Timbuktu regin. The need t uphld humanitarian principles is f utmst imprtance t cunter the shrinking f humanitarian space necessary t cnduct life-saving activities. Incrprating prtectin mainstreaming principles and prmting a meaningful access, safety and dignity fr humanitarian aid remains key t humanitarian actrs. Achievements Prtectin Prtectin Cluster The Nrwegian Refugee Cuncil has been chsen as the Prtectin Cluster c-facilitatr alngside UNHCR fr 2017. In December, the Prtectin Cluster develped a brchure t serve as a practical guide n transversal prtectin. The dcument aims t guide humanitarian actrs n ways t integrate prtectin dimensins in everyday humanitarian activities. Menaka: On 20 December, UNHCR s field unit in Menaka held a meeting t map ut activities f prtectin actrs currently present in regin. The results revealed that at least ten actrs including UNHCR are currently active 2
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali including IRC, OXFAM, ACTED, NRC, AMSS, gvernment agencies (i.e. DNDS, Ministère de la prmtin de la femme, l enfant et la famille) and tw lcal prtectin cmmittees. UNHCR and IRC will serve as c-leads t ensure crdinatin amng different actrs. Timbuktu: On 13 December, the reginal Prtectin Cluster met with UNICEF and the Directin réginale de la prmtin de la femme t discuss sexual and gender-based vilence (SGBV) and child prtectin issues. A key issue highlighted includes strengthening psychscial and legal assistance t respnse t SGBV cases. Clsure f UNHCR field ffice in Kayes: On 31 December, UNHCR fficially clsed its field ffice in Kayes regin where it has been wrking t assist and prtect Mauritanian refugees wh were frced t flee Mauritanian after 1989 fllwing the utbreak f intercmmunity cnflicts. While UNHCR supprted the Malian gvernment with the identificatin and registratin f Mauritanian refugees upn their arrival, the ffice expanded its presence in 2009 t supprt a range f activities in the areas f educatin, health, WASH, scial chesin, dcumentatin and cmmunity empwerment and selfreliance. Accrding t an identificatin and verificatin exercise in 2016, it is estimated that 15,232 Mauritanian refugees remain present in the regin f Kayes. UNHCR will cntinue t prvide prtectin and assistance t Mauritanian thrugh its partners, La Cmmissin Natinale Chargée des Réfugiés (CNCR) and Stp Sahel, in an effrt t find durable slutins fr the refugees. Facilitated Returns: Since January 2016, 1561 Malian refugee husehlds (6,954 individuals) frm Burkina Fas (2,578), Niger (2,445), Mauritania (1,925), Nigeria (1) and Tg (5) have benefitted frm UNHCR s facilitatin assistance fr their vluntary return t Mali. Vluntary Repatriatin: Wrking in clse cllabratin with CNCR, UNHCR crdinated and rganized the vluntary repatriatin f 94 Ivrian refugees (39 female, 55 male) wh had been frced t flee Ivry Cast fllwing a civil war that began in 2002. Vluntary repatriatin is ne f three durable slutins that aims t help refugees return hme in safety and dignity. UNHCR Field Office team in Kayes regin. Pht Credit UNHCR Mali Ivrian refugees at the Bamak-Sénu Internatinal Airprt in Bamak prepare t return hme t Ivry Cast n 21 December. Pht Credit UNHCR Mali Cash based assistance: Frm September t December, UNHCR, thrugh its partner Mercy Crps, supprted the Gvernment f Mali in prviding cash based assistance t 2,437 refugee returnees in Ga (962), Menaka (626), Mpti (141) and Timbuktu (708). Since the beginning f the year, UNHCR has prvided a ne-time cash assistance t 8,453 returned refugees in Ga, Menaka, Mpti and Timbuktu t help them gain access t basic needs in a safe and dignified manner. A discussin n lessns learnt fr future cash based assistance identified areas fr imprvement including heightening interest f returned refugees t get registered with DRDSES, ensuring up-t-date and precise registratin lists and updating standard perating prcedures t ensure accurate and timely fllw-up in respnse t beneficiary requests. Verificatin Exercise: UNHCR and its partner, CNCR, cnducted a verificatin exercise with refugees in Bamak and Sikass t verify their presence as well as t hld a dialgue n durable slutins with Ivrian and Cnglese refugees. The verificatin exercise aimed t update statistics and infrmatin n refugees in the regins, as well as learn abut refugees intentins with respect t durable slutins. Prtectin Mnitring: UNHCR s partner, Assciatin Malienne pur la Survie du Sahel (AMSS), identified 74 prtectin incidents amng frcibly displaced and hst cmmunity members in the regins f Ga, Kidal, Mpti and Timbuktu. The regin f Ga recrded the highest number f incidents with mre than 50% f cases relating t extrtin. Other incidents were linked t injuries, death threats, theft and sexual vilence. Since June 2016, 627 incidents have been identified. 3
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali Dcumentatin: Sensitizatin campaigns: In Kayes regin, UNHCR s partner, Stp Sahel, held 15 sensitizatin sessins n the imprtance f birth declaratins and dcumentatin including birth certificates and naturalizatin. The sessins reached 513 Mauritanian refugees and hst cmmunity members with ne birth declared n refugee sites as a result f the sensitizatin campaign. Birth certificates: 730 birth certificates were distributed thrughut refugee sites in Kayes regin. This dcumentatin prevents statelessness and allws children brn in Mali t exercise their rights with prper dcumentatin. This year, UNHCR, thrugh its partner Stp Sahel, has supprted the dcumentatin needs f Mauritanian refugees in Kayes regin by distributing 2,537 birth certificates ut f 7,807 certificates that were granted by the Malian gvernment in 2014/2015, alngside 130 identity cards. In additin, 299 refugee children received supplementary judgements that will be cnverted int birth certificates in 2017. SGBV: In the cntext f the 16 Days f Activism against Gender-based Vilence Campaign, UNHCR, thrugh its partner Stp Sahel, rganized tw cmmunity dialgues with refugees and hst cmmunity members in the refugee sites f Kayes regin n the theme f early and frced marriage. The dialgues reached 106 persns including 62 men and 44 wmen. Additinally, a mass sensitizatin campaign was held in the regin f Timbuktu with diverse stakehlders t raise awareness n gender-based vilence particularly in relatin t female returned refugees. In Ga, a debate was held with wmen s assciatins frm Ga village and the rural cmmune f Sni Al-Ber n the tpic f durable peace and eradicating vilence against wmen and girls in family, wrk and schl envirnments. UNHCR s partner Stp Sahel distributes birth certificates t Mauritanian refugees in Kayes regin. Pht Credit Stp Sahel Wmen and children returned refugees participate in a mass sensitizatin campaign t address SGBV issues in Timbuktu regin in the cntext f the 16 days f activism campaign. Pht Credit UNHCR Mali Seven sensitizatin sessins n the cnsequences f early marriage and excisin reached 299 hst cmmunity members and Mauritanian refugees in six villages f Kayes regin. In additin, six sensitizatin sessins n the imprtance f family planning methds reached 101 refugees and hst cmmunity members in fur lcalities in Kayes regin. These sessins helped participants gain awareness abut the cnsequences f early/frced marriage and excisin, as well as raise their level f engagement t prevent and reduce these harmful practices. On 14 December, fur SGBV survivrs referred by UNHCR s partner AMSS received supprt t pursue incmegenerating activities in Ga regin that will help them regain self-reliance and reintegrate int the lcal cmmunity. On 20 December, nine students (5 SGBV survivrs and 4 vulnerable returned refugees) referred by UNHCR Timbuktu t a lcal NGO, Assciatin pur la Prmtin et l Appui au Dévelppement Lcal, benefitted frm schl kits in rder t supprt their return t schl and reintegratin int the lcal cmmunity. Persns with Specific Needs: UNHCR, thrugh its partner ACTED, prvided assistance t 38 urban refugees in Bamak in need f health and prtectin assistance. Christmas fr urban refugee children: On 26 December, UNHCR rganized a Christmas celebratin fr refugee children and hst cmmunity children in Bamak. Apprximately 300 children participate in the festivities that 4
included musical theatre, dance, games and fd. UNHCR s partners including CNCR, ACTED, Stp Sahel and UREM participated in the festivities giving children an pprtunity t celebrate and enjy the seasn s festivities. UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali Health Health Insurance: UNHCR, thrugh its partner ACTED, helped 5 urban refugee husehlds (10 individuals) gain access t mre affrdable health care services with an aim t imprve their health status. In the regin f Kayes, UNHCR s partner, Stp Sahel, rganized seven sensitizatin sessins t Mauritanian refugees t raise their awareness n registratin prcedures t access health care insurance. Ms. Angèle Djhssu, Representative fr UNHCR in Mali, participates in a Christmas party fr refugee children in Bamak n 26 December. Pht Credit UNHCR Mali. Pre-Natal Health: In Kayes regin, UNHCR, thrugh its partner Stp Sahel, held eight sensitizatin sessins n the advantages f prenatal cnsultatins and cntraceptin in eight sites reaching 159 participants frm the Mauritanian refugee and hst cmmunity cmmunities. In additin, tw sessins n the imprtance f family planning reached 51 female refugees at tw refugee sites in Kayes regin. Cmmunity Health Agents: UNHCR s partner, Stp Sahel, carried ut three sensitizatin sessins that reached 62 Mauritanian refugees n the imprtance and utility f putting in place health cmmunity agents in the villages where Mauritanian refugees currently reside in Kayes regin. Currently, many refugees face prblems accessing healthcare facilities as a result f limited facilities in their lcal villages that then necessitate lng distance travel t access healthcare assistance. Water and Sanitatin Cnstructin and Restratin f Water Pints Timbuktu: Five brehles with slar pumps and six handwashing statins have been installed t strengthen access t ptable water and imprve hygiene in schl envirnments in the cmmunes f Timbuktu, Haribm, Tnka, Duékiré and Kaneye. Ga: Three brehles in Menaka cntinue t experience delays as a result f defective equipment requiring repairs. The brehles are expected t be fixed in January 2017. Water Management and Hygiene Sensitizatin Sessins Kayes: Tw sensitizatin sessins n water management were held in Kayes regin with five cmmunity mbilizers and 12 members f water management cmmittees f water pints lcated in the villages f Brala, Khairu, Sinkle and Heremakn. Mpti: 22 sensitizatin sessins reaching 187 persns (87 men, 28 wmen, 78 children) including returnees and hst cmmunity members were held arund restred and cnstructed hydraulic structures acrss Mpti regin t raise awareness n gd health and hygiene practices arund water pints. Additinally, three sensitizatin sessins n scial chesin tk place arund the water pints f Tamiziguida, Garmi and Bni reaching 53 persns including returned refugees and hst cmmunity members in rder t help reduce tensins between different grups and prmte peaceful cexistence. Cmmunity Empwerment and Self-Reliance Prmting Incme-Generating Activities: UNHCR, thrugh its partner Mercy Crps, is supprting refugee returnees and hst cmmunity members in nrthern Mali t receive assistance fr their incme-generating activities in view f prmting a smth reintegratin and peaceful cexistence in their hst cmmunities. 5
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali Timbuktu: The wmen s assciatin f returned refugees in Alamanfua received a 600,000 CFA entrepreneurial grant t be distributed as small micr-lans t several entrepreneurs t bst their incmegenerating activities. Bamak: UNHCR, thrugh its partner ACTED, prvided financial assistance t five refugees (4 wmen, 1 man) t help them pursue incme-generating activities in the areas f tailring and clthing. Cash-based assistance: On 20 December, a training wrkshp was held with UNHCR s partner, Stp Sahel, in rder t discuss supprt fr naturalizing Mauritanian refugees in Kayes regin accmpanied by sci-ecnmic integratin. Scial Chesin : 11 sensitizatin sessins were rganized n the theme f scial chesin t prmte the imprved integratin f Mauritanian refugee ppulatins within lcal cmmunities in Kayes regin as well as prmte the implementatin f jint initiatives amng different cmmunity members. The sessins reached 311 persns f which 272 were refugees and 39 were hst cmmunity members. 6
Wrking in partnership UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali On 30 December, the Representative f UNHCR in Mali, Ms. Angèle Djhssu, rganized a ceremny at the cuntry ffice in Bamak with partners and members f the unin des réfugiés au Mali t celebrate jint achievements and extend wishes fr 2017. Stp Sahel, Terres Sans Frntières, Crix Ruge Luxemburgeise, ADES and Mercy Crps have been selected as partners fr UNHCR in Mali fr 2017. They cme in additin t UNHCR s gvernment partners, CNCR and DNDS, that remain the same and the NGO partner AMSS that was selected in 2016. 7
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali FINANCIAL INFORMATION Ttal recrded cntributins fr the peratin amunt t USD 2,405,455. UNHCR is grateful fr the critical supprt prvided by dnrs that have cntributed t this peratin. Funding received in USD CERF $1,625,010 Switzerland $508,130 UN Peacebuilding Fund $272,315 We wuld like t extend a special thanks t the majr dnrs f unrestricted and reginal funds in 2016 including: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Nrway, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States f America and Private Dnrs Spain. Thanks t ther dnrs f unrestricted and reginal funds in 2016: Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Csta Rica, Estnia, Finland, Hly See, India, Indnesia, Ireland, Israel, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Mexic, Mnac, Mzambique, New Zealand, Peru, Prtugal, Qatar, Republic f Krea, Rmania, Russian Federatin, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapre, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Private Dnrs. 8
UNHCR Operatinal Update- December 2016-Mali ANNEXES Mali situatin map Cntacts: Isabelle Michal, External Relatins Officer, michal@unhcr.rg, Tel: +223 75997262 Thu Trang Nguyen, Assciate Reprting Officer, nguyen@unhcr.rg, Tel: +223 75998907 Links: Mali Situatin UNHCR prtal UNHCR Mali Facebk - UNHCR Mali Twitter 9