“We were transported by canoe.” Rebuilding lives after floods in Mali
By Mally Diawara and Ibrahima Koné
Moussa Keita, 46, from Mali’s Kayes Region, saw his home collapse in October after its foundations were submerged in floodwater for several days. The flooding was triggered by the release of water from Manantali Dam due to months of above-average rain.
“We were transported by canoe,” he explained. “Before receiving assistance, some of us had to sleep on the roof, while others rented temporary accommodation.”
Keita and his family of 27 were forced to evacuate. "With my brothers, we leased a space in an area not affected by the floods to relocate part of the family," he explained.
Last month, Keita and his family received two 12 m2 tarpaulins and 60,000 FCFA (US$92) from Catholic Relief Services. Keita is grateful for the assistance, but he notes that food aid would have been equally beneficial. He explained: "In addition to tarpaulins and money, I would have liked food in order to provide for my brothers and their respective households. No matter how small the food aid, it would have made a difference."
His mother, Kadidia Diarra, also raised her concerns: "We would have liked to have been assisted with rebuilding our house, as we sleep with our grandchildren. We were hoping to receive more assistance."
More than a month after the floods, the watermarks on the remaining walls of the family’s home are still visible.
#Struggling for stability
Just a few streets away, Ouleymatou Konaté, 56, a widow and mother of four, also struggles to rebuild her life. The plot of land she used for market gardening was her primary source of income, but she was unable to farm before the rainy season due to an illness. Adding to her difficulties, her home was flooded during the rainy season.
“Despite our efforts to counter the water with sandbags, it wasn’t enough,” Konaté explained.
Desperate to protect her home, she used her savings to buy cement and construct barriers: "We built walls with cement, but the water still flooded our home. We had to redo all the interior flooring. Now I don’t have any money left."
Just like the Keita family, Konaté received 60,000 FCFA and two tarpaulins. She too is grateful but admits the funds will cover only a few days of expenses, and they do not fully address her family’s needs.
"It will be challenging to resume my market gardening and vegetable business,” she said.
Humanitarian assistance has provided temporary relief, but the challenge of rebuilding homes, livelihoods and stability is daunting for many families in Kayes Region.
#Responding to the floods
Flooding has affected Kayes Region since July 2024. At least eight people have been killed, hundreds of homes destroyed and more than 7,500 people affected.
OCHA is advocating for sustained support for flood-affected people. On 7 November, a delegation led by the acting Humanitarian Coordinator, Khassim Diagne, alongside the Minister of Health and Social Development and other partners, delivered assistance to vulnerable people in Kayes.
It is just one of many regions affected by widespread flooding across Mali. In August, the Government declared a national state of disaster, and as of mid-November at least 92 lives have been lost, with 711 reported cases of flooding. Homes, farmland and livelihoods have been destroyed, raising significant concerns about food insecurity and people’s long-term stability.
To bolster the response, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently allocated $12.7 million to address Mali’s underfunded emergencies and climate-related disasters. This enables five UN agencies to help affected communities with life-saving activities in areas such as protection, shelter, food security, and water, sanitation and hygiene.