Mali society faces multiple vulnerabilities in daily life, for reasons including political and security instability, conflicts, a weak economy and climate change. Most of Mali’s population, almost half of which lead a life in extreme poverty, live in rural areas, which is where 90% of the poor are concentrated. People are particularly affected by food insecurity, and forced displacement and migration in search of income are on the increase. Caritas Switzerland’s 2021-2025 strategy for Mali is therefore based around the themes of income (including food security), climate and migration, against the overall objective of improving living conditions and helping reduce poverty.
The agricultural sector, which comprises farming, fishing and livestock, is a source of income for about 80% of the Malian population. Caritas Switzerland is working to enable the most vulnerable groups in this sector to improve their income opportunities through better access to markets – by applying the Market System Development approach (MSD/M4P), and by strengthening their technical and vocational skills. Since the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, all Caritas Switzerland’s activities in this field are designed to improve how Malians adapt to climate change. Enhanced and sustainable production techniques, such as integrated natural resources management, agroecology and access to climate information, lie at the heart of the adaptation measures Caritas Switzerland promotes. In terms of migration, Caritas Switzerland in Mali focuses on protecting vulnerable people, especially women and children, and supports them to realise their potential as development stakeholders in their communities of origin, transit and destination.
Caritas Switzerland operates in the west, centre and south of Mali. Its programme involves humanitarian and development interventions (humanitarian-development nexus), according to local needs. All its projects follow a multi-stakeholder and participatory approach based on human rights. They are sensitive to gender and conflict to ensure a 'do no harm' approach.
Income
Caritas enables youth, women, smallholders and other vulnerable people to increase their income thanks to improved skills and a more inclusive agricultural market system.
Climate change
The basis of life is sustainably secured through the use of natural resources, adapted to climate variability and change, which takes into account the health of the supporting ecosystems.
Migration
By covering basic needs and socio-economic inclusion refugees and migrants are better protected and contribute increasingly to their self-sufficiency and development in the countries of origin, transit and destination.
The traditionally high level of migration in the western Sahel region is central for the region’s economic development. However, smugglers, human traffickers and armed groups make migration on the known routes between West and North Africa a dangerous undertaking, especially for women and children. This project improves...
The traditionally high level of migration in the western Sahel region is central for the region’s economic development. However, smugglers, human traffickers and armed groups make migration on the known routes between West and North Africa a dangerou...
The Sahel Zone is particularly hard affected by climatic changes. This leads to water shortages and threatens the food security of people working in agriculture, who form the majority of the population. With this project, Caritas is protecting the available water resources. We are creating incentives for small farmers to use water more efficiently,...
The Sahel Zone is particularly hard affected by climatic changes. This leads to water shortages and threatens the food security of people working in agriculture, who form the majority of the population. With this project, Caritas is protecting the av...
Head Office
Sonja Leguizamón
Programme Director
Lucerne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 41 419 23 54
sleguizamon @caritas .ch
Country Office
Margaux Tharin
Country Director
Bamako, Mali
Tel: +223 75 46 22 36
mtharin @caritas .ch