Humanitarian Programme

Between February and November 2005, Oxfam directly supported over 50,000 people in the Gao region of Mali. Beneficiaries were mainly pastoral and agro-pastoralist animal breeders, who are amongst the most marginalized communities in the Sahel and the worst affected by the crisis.

In collaboration with our local partners and communities, Oxfam’s programme focused on an innovative voucher for work scheme, but also included de-stocking, seed fairs, animal vaccination and the subsidised sale of animal feed, and emergency preparedness training.

Today, Oxfam continues to offer immediate food assistance to the most affected communities with additional voucher-for-work activities.

We have also started to help those pastoralists, many of whom lost up to 70 per cent of their animals in last year’s crisis, to restock and protect their animals through animal fairs and vaccination campaigns.

All of this links into two long-term Oxfam programmes working with pastoralists across the Sahel to ensure their right to a sustainable livelihood and to an education.

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Last updated: March 06