: Overview of humanitarian access constraints (1 January to 31 December 2015)

In 2015,1 78 access constraints were registered in Mali; i.e, 3.5 times more than 2014. The majority of access constraints registered involved violence against staff, humanitarian goods/infrastructure (61%) and nearly one-fifth was related to the conflict and/or the continuation of hostilities (20%). The most affected regions were Gao (49%), and (40%).

xx Number of access constraint per region

Major road

River

ALGERIE Non operationnal airstrip Physical environment & lack of infrastructures Continuation of hostilities

Violence againts humanitarians Restriction of humanitarian actors’ freedom of movement in the country

4

31 Kidal

Almoustrat Salam Bamba Rharous Bourem Timbuktu Ber Madiakoye 38 Hamakouladji Tidermène Acharane Forgho Bambara Gao MAURITANIE Soboundo Maoude Ansongo Ménaka Marsi N’delimane Inekar

N’Tilliti Tin Hama

NIGER Gourma Tenenkou Mopti Diougani Rharous 5 Ber Arbichi Amaragoungou BURKINA FASO Segou Madiakoye Koriemé

Bangangou Koulikouro The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Key messages Evolution of the number of access constraints Despite the access constraints, humanitarian actors continue to provide assis- 14 2014 2015 tance to people in need by adapting their operations to the constraints at field level. 11 9 SikassoRespect for humanitarian principles, the community approach and acceptance strategies implemented by humanitarian actors have contributed to maintaining 8 7 6 humanitarian access in some areas in northern Mali in 2015. 7 4 5 In June 2015, the humanitarian country team (HCT) adopted a strategy and 5 2 2 2 4 3 3 set up an "access" working group to strengthen its analysis and advocacy 1 1 1 2 2 capacity as well as the implementation of measures aimed at mitigating 1 access constraints. 0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Aerial access to Kidal was a major challenge in 2015. The airstrip, scheduled which reopened in January 2016, was not operational in 2015. No 22 78 humanitarian flights were able to service Kidal in 2015. Total # of access constraints in 2014 Total # of access constraints in 2015

1: Data gathered through AMRF (Access Monitoring Reporting Framework). More details on AMRF available at : http://bit.ly/1R0Trc7. Only data registered by OCHA from January to December 2015 are shown on this snapshot. Creation date : 31 January 2016 Source : OCHA AMRF Comments: [email protected] | http://bit.ly/1R0Trc7 | www.unocha.org/mali | www.reliefweb.int Mali : Overview of humanitarian access constraints (1 January - 31 December 2015)

% of access constraints by category MAIN ASSESSMENT 1 Violence against personnel, goods and infrastructure The operational environment remains extremely volatile across the regions in 16 Continuation of hostilities and military the centre and the north. Although there has been a significant increase in 54 operations 29 security incidents affecting NGOs in 2015 this has not necessarily resulted Interference or restriction of humani- tarian actors’ freedom of movement in access constraints. or humanitarian goods in the country

Physical environment & lack of With the signing of the peace agreement in June 2015, access constraints infrastructures related to the conduct of hostilities have virtually disappeared (only 1 case % per category of organizations affected reported after June) whereas violence against humanitarian actors has increased. Crime, terrorist acts and the presence of radical armed groups, 4 8 International NGO remain major constraints for humanitarian access in Mali. UN Agencies 16 National NGO 72 Other CHALLENGES AND ANALYTICAL LIMITATIONS The humanitarian community's analysis of access constraints is hampered by the following elements : % per category of responsible actors Absence of information about some regions where few or no actors are present (e.g. Kidal). 4 11 Malian security and defense forces Civilan actors Little information about peoples’ constraints in accessing humanitarian 52 Non state armed groups assistance. 33 Unidentified armed individuals Little information on the quantitative impact of the constraints and incidents registered on the provision of aid. Non-comprehensive and non-systematic data collection. % of access constraints per region Little resource dedicated to data collection and analysis.

7 4 Gao Timbuktu 49 Mopti AND NOW... 40 Kidal The sharing of information, a joint analysis and collective measures are necessary to ensure an unhindered response to the people in need.

In Mali there are areas where no humanitarian actor operates. In 2016, the humanitarian community must mobilize to leave no community in need without humanitarian assistance.

In 2016 humanitarian access in Mali will still be hugely dependent on the effective implementation of the peace agreement and the ability of military actors to secure the operational environment in which humanitarian actors operate.

Number of access constraints per month and per region 10 Kidal

Timbuktu 8 Gao 6 Mopti

4

2

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

The AMRF(Access Monitoring Reporting Framework) comprises nine kinds (or categories) of constraint access that may have an impact on the conduct of humanitarian activities, hence on the assistance provided to the beneficiaries. These constraints are: i) denial of the existence of humanitarian needs; ii) Restriction on the freedom of movement of humanitarian workers to enter the affected country; iii) in the affected country; (iv) ongoing military operations and hostilities preventing humanitarian operations; (v) violence against humanitarian workers; VI) Interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities; VII) Presence of landmines and unexploded war materiel; VIII) physical and climate environment; and ix) Restrictions, or obstruction of access of conflict affected populations to services and assistance.