The dire plight of displaced families from Kouakourou in Mali
When we reached Mopti, we were housed in a local school. The generosity we received was overwhelming, recalls one displaced resident of Kouakourou. Basic supplies like rice, tea, sugar, oil, and powdered milk were provided. The aid came anonymously, while the municipal authorities coordinated the distributions.
Yet, living in a school classroom is far from ideal, he admits. Many sleep outside in the courtyard. When rain falls, everyone crowds into the classrooms. The conditions are unbearable. Food isn’t scarce, but this isn’t living. The overcrowded school now shelters more than 400 displaced individuals.
Today, Kouakourou stands completely abandoned. After receiving an ultimatum from Jnim jihadists, residents had no choice but to flee. Being forced to leave behind homes and belongings is heartbreaking, shares another displaced resident. Our greatest hope is to return home one day. Some left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The attackers even confiscated our phones. Worse, we were in the middle of preparing for the farming season when this tragedy struck. We’ll have to abandon this year’s harvest—a devastating loss.
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