WHO’s critical role in strengthening health NGO partnerships in Mali
Since 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been leading the coordination of health sector partners in Mali through the humanitarian cluster system. In 2025, the country faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 6.4 million people — nearly 28% of its population — requiring urgent assistance. However, the humanitarian response plan remains critically underfunded at just 8.5%, with only 6% allocated to the health sector. This severe funding gap severely restricts the ability of humanitarian organizations to meet the most pressing needs of affected communities.
To address these challenges, the second reserve allocation from the Humanitarian Fund for Rapid Response in Africa (HFRRA) for Mali has been strategically deployed. This funding specifically targets internally displaced persons affected by armed violence and insecurity, particularly in the Gao, Mopti, and Ségou regions. Health assistance was prioritized for this allocation following advocacy efforts led by WHO, which highlighted the acute vulnerability of these populations in accessing essential healthcare services.
