Mali: 2026-2027 Country Plan
22 September 2026
Mali faces one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the Sahel. In 2025, an estimated 28% of the population needed humanitarian assistance, with needs concentrated in the conflict-affected north and centre. A multidimensional crisis since 2012, marked by intercommunal violence and clashes with non-state armed groups, has driven extreme poverty from 15.9% in 2021 to 21.1% in 2024. Recurring floods and droughts compound the pressure, disrupting essential services and displacing communities already stretched thin.
At the centre of the response is the Mali Red Cross. Founded on 20 August 1965 and recognised as a public utility that same year, the Mali Red Cross is Mali’s only National Society recognised as auxiliary to public authorities for humanitarian matters. It operates through 11 regional branches and 614 local committees across all 19 administrative regions and the Bamako District, supported by 287 permanent staff and more than 9,276 volunteers. As one of the country’s most trusted humanitarian actors, the Mali Red Cross works closely with national authorities, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partner National Societies to reach even the hardest-to-access areas.
What we work on
The Netherlands Red Cross supports the Mali Red Cross across a range of areas, from becoming more financially self-reliant to standing ready for the next crisis.
Building the Mali Red Cross’ own financial resilience
Since 2015, the Netherlands Red Cross has supported the Mali Red Cross in building longer-term financial sustainability, helping the National Society rely less on short-term project funding and more on its own diversified income. Part of this support is channelled through the Norwegian Red Cross, reflecting how closely Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners coordinate their work here rather than duplicating it.
Preparing for the next flood or drought
The Mali Red Cross maintains its own multi-hazard contingency plan, prioritising floods, food insecurity, population movement, disease outbreaks and social unrest, the same risks the country faces most often. The Netherlands Red Cross supports this work directly, focused on strengthening disaster preparedness and risk management so response can start before a crisis peaks, not only after.
Supporting displaced families and returnees
Conflict in the north and centre has displaced hundreds of thousands of people within Mali, while others have sought refuge abroad or returned home to rebuild. The Netherlands Red Cross specifically supports the Mali Red Cross’ work with internally displaced people, helping ensure assistance reaches them wherever they currently are, rather than only where they used to live.
How we work together
The Mali Red Cross leads its own humanitarian response. The Netherlands Red Cross plays a supporting role, working from the belief that the Mali Red Cross understands the needs of its communities and the shape of the country’s crises better than any outside partner.
In practice, this means the Netherlands Red Cross focuses on four specific areas: helping the Mali Red Cross build financial sustainability, strengthening its disaster preparedness and risk management, and supporting its work with internally displaced people. Part of the support is channelled through the Norwegian Red Cross, reflecting close coordination between Movement partners rather than parallel, overlapping efforts.
The Netherlands Red Cross and the Mali Red Cross have worked together since 2015. As the Mali Red Cross continues to strengthen its own systems and diversify its funding, the Netherlands Red Cross is focused on that specific, technical role, rather than trying to cover every part of the Mali Red Cross’ work at once.
