Mali

Humanitarian

Situation

Report No5 Maren Blakestad

5354/

NICEF/

© © Reporting Period: 01rst to 31 May 2021 Situation in Numbers

 Socio-political situation complicated by a second military 3,200,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance Coup d'état (May 25, 2021), nine months after the one on (OCHA February 2021 August 18, 2020.

 UNICEF provided short term emergency distribution of 5,900,000 household water treatment and hygiene kits as well as people in need of humanitarian assistance sustainable water supply services to 197,014 people (OCHA Mali HNO February 2021) (193,014 for temporary access and 4,000 for sustainable access) in , Sikasso, Mopti, Gao, and 372,266

Menaka regions. Internally displaced people  1,573 schools are not functioning as May 2021 mainly due to (National Directorate of Social Development - DNDS. Matrix for Monitoring Displacement (DTM), 31 April 2021) threats by armed groups (82 per cent) and absence of teachers (6 per cent), affecting 471,900 children and 9, 438 teachers in the regions of Ségou, Mopti, , Gao, Ménaka, Tombouctou, Kidal, et Koulikoro, Sikasso.

UNICEF’s Response and Funding Status UNICEF Appeal 2021 US$ 119,1million

SAM admissions 23%

Funding status 48% Nutrition Funds Received $ Measles vaccination 167% Funding gap 28.87 M (24%) $ 68.36 M (57%)

Health Funding status 38% Required: Safe water access 34% $ 119.1 M

WASH Funding status 33%

MHPSS access 6% Carry-forward, $

Child 21.84 M (19%) Funding status 41% Protection Education access 75%

Funding status 55% Education -100% -50% 0% 50% 100%

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Funding Overview and Partnerships In 2021, UNICEF is appealing for US$ 119.1 million1 to respond to the humanitarian needs of children caused by conflict or natural disasters while facilitating access to quality basic social services for crisis-affected populations in the north and center of the country. As of May 31, 2021, a total of $50,721,020 including $21,848,164 in carryover, was available, representing 43% of the overall call. Of this amount, $26.9 million from Canada, Germany, the Canadian UNICEF Committee, Denmark, GAVI the Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait, USAID, ECHO and the Thematic Humanitarian Response Fund were specifically dedicated for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The HAC 2021 has a funding gap of 57 per cent2, thus far from covering the needs especially in the WASH, Health, social inclusion and Child Protection, which remain the most underfunded sectors with respectively 33; 38;40 and 41 per cent of funds received. Overall, the Governments of the USA (USAID- OFDA), Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Romania, Denmark, Austria, Canada, USA (State), Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development), Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom (DFID), the Spanish, German and Norwegian Committees for UNICEF, UNICEF-China, SIDA, the European Commission/ECHO, USAID/Food for Peace, Education Cannot Wait Fund, GAVI /The Vaccine Alliance Global, have generously contributed to UNICEF Mali humanitarian response. UNICEF expresses its deep and sincere gratitude to all public and private donors for the contributions received

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs UNICEF Field Structure in Mali

The socio-political situation was marked by a new twist in the country's period of instability with the arrest and removal by the military of the transitional president and his prime minister on May 25, 2021, nine months after the coup of August 18, 2020. The military Vice President was confirmed as President of the Transition by the Constitutional Court. During this major event, calm have prevailed throughout the country and no major incidents were reported. However, the humanitarian situation in the country remains complex and is deteriorating daily despite the constant efforts of humanitarian actors with a negative impact on the already complex and fragile humanitarian situation Attacks on civilians continued in the central and northern regions. This violence is causing displacement of people both within Mali and to neighbouring countries. Insecurity in the central and northern regions was accompanied by violations of the rights of individuals, particularly children, through recruitment by armed groups and forces, gender-based violence, and family separation. The security situation continues to be marked by the presence of non-state armed groups along the three borders of the Liptako Gourma (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger), recurring inter-community conflicts, the presence of improvised explosive devices, and attacks on national and international armed forces and humanitarian organizations.

1 This is the requirement based on the last updated HAC in April 2021 *Funding available includes carry-over and funds

received in the current year.

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As of May 31, there were 372,266 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country (DNDS-DTM Mali), 63 per cent of whom are children. Based on the HNO/ HRP 2021, 11.7 million people are affected by multiple crises, of which 5.9 million need humanitarian assistance. Women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities account for 51%, 54.2%, 3.38%, and 15% respectively. The majority of those in need live in the central regions (Mopti 1.6 million and Segou 1.2 million), the northern regions (Timbuktu 1.1 million; Gao 600,000; Kidal 70,000). Covid-19 cases have been on the decline for several weeks; between May 24 and 31, 2021, twenty-four (24) cases of Covid-19 and three (3) deaths were recorded (mali_sitrep_covid-19_n156_du_30_mai_2021). Based on the Government Covid-19 SitRep N°156 (30 Mai 2021), 14, 265 cases of Covid-19 were recorded - in 15 regions out of 20 as well as in the Bamako district - including 517 deaths for an overall case-fatality rate of 3.4% which is almost three times higher than the average CFR in WCAR (1.44%). The reporting period (May 2021) was marked by the continuation of the vaccination campaign against Covid-19. As of May 31, 2021, 93,580 people, including 53,692 men and 39,888 women, have been vaccinated in the vaccination centers for the first round and 33,462 people, including 19,246 men and 14,216 women, have been for the second round. The vaccine used in Mali is from AstraZeneca) as part of the COVAX initiative with technical and financial support from UNICEF The threat of the Ebola virus disease epidemic in the context of Covid-19 is still present and the measures to prepare for the response of a positive case remain in force.

Summary Analysis of Programme Response

Nutrition 3 During the reporting period, UNICEF and partners continued to implement acute Children aged 6-59 months admitted and treated for SAM malnutrition management and from January to May 2021 in Mali promotional activities on infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) both 9278 in health centres and at the community 10000 9155 9073 8556 9189 level. 9000 8000 Some 12,031 caregivers have benefited 7000 from counselling on infant and young child 6000 4944 5010 4962 4899 4620 feeding (IYCF) caregivers (Men 3,107 and 5000 4268 4211 4174 3936 4227 women 8,924) of children aged (0-23 4000 months). 9,189 new cases of severe acute 3000 malnutrition of children aged 6-59 months 2000 (4,962girls and 4,227 boys) were treated 1000 during the reporting period, which brings 0 the cumulative number of children treated January February March April May for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) since Boys Girls Total SAM January 2021 to 45,251.

3 Footnote: The SAM data for January, February, March and April 2021 as observed in the graph differ from those shown in the sitreps for the corresponding months. These variations are explained by the late update of the national reference database. The updating of the data base can sometimes be done with several months of delay depending on the feedback from the health districts.

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These results were achieved through strategic partnerships with regional health directorates, health districts and NGOs namely IMC, COOPI, ACTED, PLAN International, ALIMA-AMCP-SP, WORLD VISION and SCI.

Health Measles outbreaks were reported in 9 out of 20 regions in the country with a total of 476 cases. An investigation followed each alert and vaccination response was organized at the health centers level. Some 163,609 children aged of 6 months to 59 months were vaccinated with the measles vaccine. The circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) epidemic remains a public health issue in the country. As of May 31, 2021, the country has recorded a total of 50 cases, including 4 environmental surveillance cases and 46 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases, distributed between Gao, Mopti, Kayes, Koulikoro and Bamako district Covid-19 As of May 31, 2021, 93,580 people, including 53,692 men and 39,888 women, have been vaccinated in the vaccination centers for the first round and 33,462 people, including 19,246 men and 14,216 women, have been vaccinated for the second round. In total, 127,042 doses of vaccine were used (32.08%). The big challenge of the vaccination campaign is the low demand for vaccination from the population. To readjust the implementation strategies of the campaign and to achieve the objectives set, a mid-term evaluation of the campaign was carried out from May 5 to 13, 2021. The analysis revealed several factors associated with the low rate of use of COVID-19 vaccines in Mali, despite the use of multiple communication channels. These include the existence of strong rumours about the AstraZeneca vaccine, the weak political commitment at the start of the campaign (neither the interim President nor the Prime Minister participated in the launch of the campaign), delay in the implementation of communication activities, delay in the production and installation of communication supports and the refusal of certain health workers to be vaccinated. In addition, it should be noted that the duration of the 1st round of the anti-COVID vaccination campaign, initially scheduled for 10 days, has been extended to more than 1 month, leading to the fatigue of vaccine agents as well as financial difficulties.

WASH UNICEF supported the government of Mali in assisting the population affected by the crises in the centre and northern regions and COVID-19 pandemic through the Regional Technical Services (the Directorates of NUMBER OF AFFECTED POPULATION PROVIDED WITH SAFE WATER IN MALI (JANUARY TO MAY 2021) Hydraulic, Directorates of Social Development, Solidarity Economy, Direct orates of Civil Protection 100% - - 90% 32,574 4,000 and Directorates of Health). In total 51,840 people 80% 141,174 108,600 2,424 12,072 (27,864 children) in Bamako, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu 70% - 4,000 60% 21,636 4,176 - 51,840 and Menaka regions benefited through short-term 50% 11,532 emergency kits distribution including water 40% 30% treatment products. Some 197,014 people (111,999 54,210 120,132 2,424 8,176 12,072 197,014 20% children) gained access to safe water through the 10% critical Wash supplies covid-19 in Bamako, Sikasso, 0% Tombouctou, Gao and Menaka. Some 4,000 people January February March April May Total (2,150 children) benefited from sustainable access Critical wash supplies covid19 to permanent drinking water sources in Mopti Access to permanent drinking water sources region. Temporary access to safe water Acces to sufficient quantity of safe water (for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene) These results were achieved in partnership with the Regional Directorates of Hydraulic, Regional Directorates of Social Development and Solidarity Economy, Regional Directorates of Civil Protection, Regional Directorates of Health UNICEF implementing partners including the NGOs

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NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council), IRC (International Rescue Committee) IMADEL (Initiative Malienne d'Appui au Développement local), GARDL, Solidarités Internationale (SI), ALPHALOG.

Education

During the reporting period, UNICEF, and its implementing partners APIDEV, AMAED in Mopti and Segou and ACODIS in Gao distributed individual learning kits to 15,530 children (including 7,100 girls) regions in Temporary Learning Spaces and functional schools. With the same partners, 4,024 children (including 2,889 girls) in Mopti, Gao, and Segou regions, have had access to formal and non-formal education through the Community Learning Center (CLC) and reinsertion activities in schools. A total of 652 solar radios and USB keys have been distributed in the 74 Community Learning Center (CLC) and in some supported schools in Tombouctou region. 328 listening groups have been set up, supervised by CLC teachers, benefitting to about 2,000 children. As part of the Education Cannot Wait (ECW FER 2) project, several community consultation frameworks were organized in the regions of Timbuktu, Mopti, Gao, and Kidal to develop action plans to support the reopening of schools closed due to insecurity. These activities were implemented by implementing partners and the education academies in the above-mentioned regions plus Koulikoro In May, six staff from the Pedagogical Animation Center (PAC) from the Ménaka academy involved in data collection were trained in the use of the Education Cluster database to improve data reporting. The national coordination of the Education Cluster took part in an inter-cluster mission that aimed to support regional coordination mechanisms, notably the regional inter-cluster and the coordination of sectoral groups in the regions of Mopti, Gao and Tombouctou. Covid-19 Some 386 schools have been supported to implement the COVID-19 prevention and control in Mopti, Segou, Gao and Tombouctou regions. In addition, a total of 652 solar radios and USB keys have been distributed in the 74 Community Learning Center (CLC) and in some supported schools in Tombouctou region. 328 listening groups have been set up, supervised by CLC teachers, benefitting to about 2,000 children.

Child Protection

From January to May 2021, 24,894 children (11,915 girls/12,979 boys) were reached with psychosocial support (MHPSS) by UNICEF (8,827 girls /9,523boys) and the members of the Child Protection Sub-Cluster of (SCPE). The mentioned activities of MHPSS included gender and age-sensitive group activities in community-based safe spaces as well as individual psychosocial support to children affected by conflict and/or by the Covid-19 in Northern and Centre . Furthermore, in May 2021, UNICEF and partners provided 21 children released from armed forces and armed groups with holistic interim care, including psychosocial and medical support, transitional housing, food and non-food items and family tracing and reunification in the regions of Segou and Mopti. In addition, 121 unaccompanied or separated children (52 girls) received holistic interim care in transit centre or foster families in Bamako, Mopti, and Segou. This brings the total number of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) reached since January to 611 (56% of target). These results were achieved thanks to the partnership between UNICEF and national NGOs Kanuya, Peace One Day, Samu Social and GARDL, the regional directorates for the promotion of Women, Children and Family of Timbuktu and Gao, and international NGO COOPI. In addition, UNICEF established a new partnership with the international NGO Danish Refugee Council for the monitoring of grave violations in the regions of Timbuktu and Gao, which implementation started at the end of April.

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Finally, UNICEF continued to lead the coordination of the Child Protection Sub-Cluster. In May, key activities of the Child Protection Sub-Cluster included the contribution and dissemination of MHPSS operational framework in child protection, participation to the protection advocacy action targeting potential donors (USAID, SWISS, ECHO, Sweden, etc), and the production of an analysis note on child abduction in the context of the conflict which follows an increasing trend since the beginning of 2021.

Communication for Development

The vaccination campaign supported by the communication campaign through home visits, tent animations, radio broadcastings continues in Bamako. As of 31 May, 661,399 people were reached with engagement actions for social and behavioural change including 333,651 women. The vaccination campaign also started in Segou, Kayes, Koulikoro and . The communication linked to this campaign was based on a multi-channel approach that include sensitization, advocacy, information sessions with community leaders (religious, traditional, women, youth), radio broadcasting, flyers, giant panels of leaders being vaccinating, tv broadcastings. A national supervision of the communication activities was conducted in Bamako with a mid-term evaluation that highlighted the key elements that contributed to the success of the campaign, namely: i) the strong involvement of community leaders in the campaign; ii) the use of a multi- channel and multi actors approach (radio and TV broadcastings, sensitization by young girls and boys under tents, community relays and women leaders home visits, giant billboards, posters and flyers…) which contributed to building trust and strengthening vaccine acceptance and uptake; iii) the installation of 5 tents in each of the six Orientation session of social mobilizers in the for communes of Bamako to raising awareness in the districts of awareness-raising activities on the vaccination campaign Bamako; iv) the daily and weekly analysis and feedback of communication results in the six municipalities and the proximity supervision at all levels with the government bodies (Direction Nationale de la Santé DRS, Direction Régionale du Development Social et de l’Economie Solidaire DRDSES, Service Local de Développement Social SLDSES, Centre National d’Information, d’Education et de Communication en Santé (CNIECS) and partners was an asset. Also, the inter-religious council awareness-raising activities on Covid-19 is ongoing in Muslim and Christian places of worship in Bamako, Ségou, Sikasso, Kayes, Mopti and Koulikoro. In the perspective of the vaccine deployment in the regions, the Koulikoro, Kayes, Segou, Tombouctou and Sikasso regions received support in developing their Covid-19 vaccination budgeted communication plan. During this month, support was also provided to 46 heath districts to raise community acceptance of polio vaccine as part of the ongoing polio outbreak response. 7 140 households were visited and 24, 693 persons (62% women) were sensitized, 68 marketplaces and lorry parks (17 000 people) reached by public criers’ s activities. Some 105 local and community radios broadcasted messages before and during the campaign.

Social protection As part of the preparation for cash transfers to vulnerable households, 106,113 households were enrolled in the unified social register in 34 targeted communes in Mali. This data collection effort enabled the coverage rate of the RSU (Registre Social Unifié) to rise from 26% to 96% in these communes. The 32,500 households to benefit from the transfers have been identified from the RSU and the first tranche of cash transfers will begin in June in the regions of

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Koulikoro, Ségou and Sikasso. Following the pilot phase in Bamako in March, the women's groups that are also being targeted for cash transfers received their SIM cards. Missions to verify the effectiveness of the SIM cards were organised during the reporting period. A comprehensive database of women is available and cash transfers targeting 7,563 women members of the groups will begin in June.

Humanitarian Leadership, Coordination and Strategy Humanitarian action coordination is led by the Ministry of Health and Social Development with the support of the Humanitarian Country Team. UNICEF is leading three clusters, WASH, Nutrition and Education and the Child Protection Sub-Cluster. UNICEF co-led clusters are all part of the Inter-Cluster Working Group (ICWG) led by OCHA at the national and sub-national levels. UNICEF also participates in the in-country interagency PSEA Task Force and interagency Gender Task Force. UNICEF as the lead of the Education, Nutrition and Wash clusters and in charge of the Child Protection sub-group actively participated in the inter-cluster missions carried out in May 2021 in Mopti, Gao and Timbuktu, the objective of which was to support the teams in the field to strengthen the anchoring of the regional ICC as a framework for analysis and inter-sectoral coordination of the various interventions in the humanitarian programming cycle at the regional level. UNICEF Humanitarian strategy is aligned with the 2021 inter-agency humanitarian response plan (HRP) which aims to save lives and protect affected populations. The process of developing the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan for Mali has been finalized. UNICEF has been participating actively through the emergency coordination as well as its led- clusters and sub-clusters in the HRP process. UNICEF continues to address urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations in crisis-affected in north and central regions, while strengthening the linkages between humanitarian action and development programming and prioritizing community-based approaches. UNICEF in Mali, with partners, contributed to strengthen the national health and nutrition systems, delivering emergency assistance, including the provision of water and sanitation packages, the management of SAM cases, measles and Poliomyelitis vaccination, and providing psychosocial support to conflict-affected children. UNICEF continues to promote the continuity of education through community mobilization, community learning centres and the provision of school supplies. UNICEF also reinforces the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism and supports the release of children from armed forces and groups and provided girl survivors of gender-based violence with community care and socio-economic reintegration.

Human Interest Stories and External Media

Publication of 4 Human Interest Stories highlighting UNICEF support : (i) a self-sufficient water station which played a key role in the people of Timbuktu's fight against COVID-19; (ii) support to conflict-affected children in the northern region of Gao through the Orientation and Transition Centres (CTOs) ; (iii) Support for provision of a smooth transition from Temporary Learning Centres to formal public school for conflict-affected children in ; iv) Introduction of second doses of VAR to reduce measles cases.

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Education Cannot Wait highlighted UNICEF Mali story on solar radio program during its 5th anniversary Social Media Back-to school story of 15 years old Aichata in the conflict affected region of Mopti has been showcased through global and regional channels reaching thousands of people. How a self-sufficient water station played a key role in the people of Timbuktu's fight against COVID-19, published on RO social media pages reached approximatively 150k persons.

Next SitRep: 3oth June 2021

UNICEF Mali Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unicefmali/ UNICEF Mali Twitter: https://twitter.com/unicefmali UNICEF Mali Humanitarian Action for Children Appeal: https://www.unicef.org/appeals/Mali.html

Who to contact Sylvie Fouet Anne Daher Aden for further Representative Chief of Field Ops and Emergency, information: UNICEF Mali UNICEF Mali Tel: (+ 223) 44 97 69 69 Tel: (+223) 75 99 62 50

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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Annex A - Summary of Programme Results4

UNICEF and IPs Response Cluster/Sector Response

Sector Total Total Change* 2021 Total Change* 2021 target needs results ▲▼ target results ▲▼ Indicator | Disaggregation Health # children aged 6 to 59 girls 82,954 18,932 ▲ months vaccinated against 81,900 boys 18,190 measles 80,655 # children aged 0 to 59 girls 421, 091 0 ▲ months vaccinated against 81,900 404, 577 0 boys polio Nutrition 4,962 3,937 # children aged 6 to 59 girls months with severe acute 78,910 161,2105 24,435 19,515 malnutrition admitted for 4,227 3,684 treatment boys 20,816 82,300 17,891 # primary caregivers of 48,310 2,421 55,285 Women 8,923 children aged 0 to 23 months receiving infant and 480,853 540,336 16,103 746 32,563 young child feeding Men6 8,923 counselling Child Protection 2,200 2,686 girls 8,827 11,915

2,412 2,909 # children and caregivers accessing mental health 828,728 300,000 and psychosocial support boys 9,523 12,979

0 0

# children released from girls 34 34 armed forces and groups reintegrated with their 400 800 families/communities or Boys 21 21 provided with adequate care and services 122 122

# unaccompanied and 44 52 separated children reunified girls 221 235 with their primary caregiver 1,000 1,500 or provided with family- 62 69 based care/alternative care boys 358 376 services Women, girls and boys accessing gender-based 40,400 0 0 N/A 0 0 violence risk mitigation,

4UNICEF's Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC 2021) is being updated to reflect HRP 2021 that will be launched in March 2021. 5 UNICEF target is the same as the Nutrition cluster target (161,210 for SAM) based on HRP 2021 6 The number of Caregivers men was put in Women in April, that was corrected.

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prevention or response intervention

Education # children accessing formal girls 34,587 2,889 40,301 2,889 or non-formal education, 90,000 1,935 159,000 1,935 boys including early learning 32,769 38,091 7,100 7,100 30,966 girls

# children receiving 200,000 485,832 109,382 individual learning materials 8,430 8,430 30,489 boys

119,885 # schools implementing 386 386 1,231 COVID protocols (infection 2,000 6,500 prevention and control) 10,225 WASH girls 54,865 3,359 92,406 7,895 # people accessing a 96,302 boys sufficient quantity of safe 57,134 3,501 8,228 543,800 1,002,661 water for drinking, cooking 2,556 6,242 women and personal hygiene 41,690 73,055 men 43,325 2,656 70,323 6,008 0 9,833 Men 868 12,039

# people accessing appropriately designed and 50,000 0 100,000 9,995 managed latrines Women 882 12,238

5,916 6,987 # people reached with Women 138,567 critical water, sanitation 94,581 and hygiene supplies 430,200 926,000 6,156 6,873 (including hygiene items) and services Men 136,313 98,433 Social Protection # households reached with 0 0 humanitarian cash transfers across sectors 60,000 # households reached with 0 0 cash transfers through an existing government system where UNICEF 40,000 provided technical assistance and funding

C4D Women 29,187

# people participating in 333,651 engagement actions for 800,000 18,359 social and behavioural Men change 327,748

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Women 2,259 # people sharing their concerns and asking 30,116 questions/clarifications to 300,000 3,450 address their needs through established feedback Men mechanisms 29,955 * Change since last report. **

Annex B

Funding Status*

Funds available Funding gap Humanitarian Sector Requirements Resources available resources received $ % from 2020 (Carry-over) in 2021 Nutrition 22,764,211 4,311,750 6,705,258 11,747,203 52% WASH 21,828,960 6,494,110 804,186 14,530,664 67% Health 10,829,700 3,684,399 396,300 6,749,001 62% Child Protection 23,210,000 7,603,820 1,996,806 13,609,374 59% Education 14,539,649 4,291,829 3,714,748 6,533,072 45% Social Inclusion 20,807,766 0 8,230,867 12,576,899 60% C4D 2,948,400 2,285,869 0 662,531 0% Emergency Coordination 2,156,609 201,078 0 1,955,531 91% Total 119,085,295 28,872,856 21,848,164 68,364,275 57%

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