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Yesterday, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the United States Government, through USAID, celebrated World Humanitarian Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel, with the presence of the U.S. Ambassador to Mali, Ms. Rachna Korhonen, the Minister of Health and Social Development, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, and the Director General of USAID, Richard Kimball.
The event was intended to honor humanitarian partners and highlight U.S. funding for the humanitarian response in Mali. Operation 2024 focuses on protecting humanitarian workers and civilians and combating impunity for violations of international humanitarian law. U.S. funding enables more than 18 nongovernmental organizations to help the most vulnerable in Mali and employ primarily local staff.
Ms. Korhonen began her remarks by quoting a Bambara proverb: “Bolokoni kelen tesse ka belai taa,” which means “One finger cannot lift a stone.” For U.S. diplomats, this proverb perfectly encapsulates how the U.S. government is working with the Malian government, non-governmental organizations (national and international), UN agencies, and ordinary Malians to help Malians affected by the multifaceted crisis that the country has faced over the past 10 years.
On this occasion, she recalled that for more than 60 years, the U.S. Government has supported the Malian Government in its humanitarian operations in Mali (as well as supporting the health system), thanks to an exemplary partnership.
This mutual commitment, she said, is based on the principles of friendship, mutual respect and solidarity, and is being implemented through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other agencies of the U.S. Government. “Since October 2022, the U.S. Government, in coordination with the Government of Mali, has contributed $128 million to humanitarian activities across the country,” the diplomat said, noting that World Humanitarian Day has been celebrated every August 19 since 2009 to honor humanitarian workers who often take great risks to serve others. “This date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people,” she said. This year, the ambassador continued, “we highlight the unwavering commitment and perseverance of humanitarian workers who provide essential assistance to vulnerable populations, no matter what difficulties they face.” In other words, we celebrate all of you.
The Ambassador said that, against the backdrop of widespread conflicts and worsening humanitarian crises around the world, “protecting humanitarian workers is essential to delivering aid to those who need it most”. Ensuring their safety and security has always been at the heart of the humanitarian community’s work. However, she continued, attacks continue despite clear obligations under international humanitarian law to protect aid workers and prosecute war crimes.
Looking back at 2023, the number of humanitarian workers killed more than doubled in two years, from 118 humanitarian workers killed in 2022 to 261 in 2023. In 2023, 78 humanitarian workers were kidnapped and 196 were injured worldwide.
“In Mali, reported incidents of violence against humanitarian personnel and assets decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year. Despite this, five aid workers were killed in violence in 2023 and 14 aid workers were abducted and detained for periods of time by armed groups before being released, sometimes deprived of their belongings and/or after being threatened and intimidated,” she said. She ended her speech with a message of hope and resilience. “Aid workers face enormous challenges, but your dedication and courage serve as a beacon of hope for those in need. Every act of kindness you provide, every life you save and every moment of support you provide, lays the foundation of hope and possibility for a better future for Mali.”
“Mali has been going through a multifaceted crisis since 2012, but humanitarian workers have always been there. They have been with us, sometimes risking their own lives,” said Minister Touré, thanking USAID for providing $128 million for humanitarian efforts. She noted that the Malian Government is doing its utmost to be as close to its people as possible.
Yusuf Konate
Bamako by night
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