The United Nations Refugee Agency in Mali is calling for enhanced support for people displaced as violence and threats by armed groups continue to force Malians and refugees to flee for safety.

In N’Tillit, a village in northern Mali, the attacks have forced more than 3,700 Burkinabé refugees and Malians to flee to Gao, the nearest city located 120 kilometres away.

Since 2018, Burkinabé refugees have been forced to cross the border to Mali, despite the precarious security situation in both countries.

As of 31 December 2022, Mali hosted more than 60,000 refugees, including 25,000 from Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, some 440,000 Malians remain internally displaced due to continued violence and threats from armed groups.

Mohammed Toure Askia is UNHCR Representative in Mali.