Mali | World Food Programme

Mali is facing a deepening food security crisis after more than a decade of conflict, displacement and climate shocks, with acute malnutrition at emergency levels in several regions and likely to worsen in areas also affected by land degradation and limited humanitarian access. 

The combined effects of climate shocks, displacement and market pressures continue to undermine livelihoods and limit access to basic services. More than 1.5 million people were projected to face acute food insecurity during the June-August lean season, according to the Cadre Harmonisé analysis (November 2025),

An Emergency Food Security Assessment in June 2026 found that 40 percent of households required humanitarian assistance, while only 4 percent had received support in the previous three months, highlighting a widening gap between needs and assistance. The deterioration in food security was especially acute in Ménaka, Gao, Tombouctou, Mopti and Ségou regions. 

Recent insecurity has triggered fresh displacement across the north. The arrival of tens of thousands of internally displaced people and refugees in central Mali has further increased humanitarian needs for both newcomers and already overstretched host communities. This adds to an existing displacement crisis, with more than 290,000 refugees and over 400,000 internally displaced people currently living across the country.

Humanitarian access remains severely constrained in parts of northern and central Mali, while irregular rainfall, prolonged dry spells and land degradation continue to pressure agriculture-based livelihoods.

Without urgent support, worsening food insecurity, displacement and limited humanitarian access are likely to push more vulnerable families deeper into crisis.

WFP urgently requires US$81.2 million through February 2027, including a funding gap of US$73.6 million to sustain life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable populations.