Poverty in Mali - Sydney Gray

 

Global poverty is an issue that has been around for decades. It is causing hunger and malnutrition all over the world, along with limited access to education, health care, and jobs. The World Bank defines poverty as anyone living on less than $1.90 per day, and extreme poverty refers to an income even lower. People living in extreme poverty find themselves stuck in a constant struggle to fulfill their most basic needs in life and often have no access to service aids. In Prosperity Rising, Steven Radelet says that daily life in poor countries has been changing for the better and that “one billion people have escaped extreme poverty”. Although this may be true, we are still seeing millions of people struggle to survive in extreme poverty.

            Despite achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger in Mali by 50 percent, it remains the 12^th poorest country in Africa. A whopping 50 percent of their population is placed below the international poverty line and live on less than $1.25 a day. This puts more than 600,000 Malians in need of food assistance (Yamaguchi, Alisa). Since Mali is mostly self-sufficient in the food market, it is extremely vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Climate change has led to higher temperatures, less rainfall and growing desertification. The majority of Mali is desert, so droughts quickly become a severe problem. Droughts make it extremely difficult for them to grow the crops they need and due to low wages, they are unable to buy what their family demands (Borgin, Clint). These climate shocks that negatively affect harvests can cause a drop in economic growth and an increase in food security. According to The Borgen Project, these poor conditions have caused 25 percent of families to be severely food insecure. Severe food insecurity in Mali has major consequences, for example, “one in three Malian children under the age of five is affected by stunting, a condition brought on by poor nutrition which affects both physical and cognitive development” (Yamaguchi, Alisa). This is another reason as to why the average life expectancy of adults is only 55 and why malnutrition is the main factor of poverty. The state of poverty in Mali is extreme and although efforts have been taken to try to reduce the number of people affected, the issue remains.

             While malnutrition in Mali remains a leading issue, it has not gone unnoticed. The United Nations World Food Programme has been aiding Mali by providing nutritional support to those who still live there (Borgin, Clint). The program helps to provide Malians with money so that they can buy fresh vegetables and meat for their families, which also helps boost the local economy. The Borgen Project also stated that in 2013, around 125 thousand people were provided with food support in the north of the country, while in the south people are aided while they work on community-building projects. Although these efforts have made improvements in the past, the WFP has recognized that extreme poverty in Mali is still affecting millions. They have worked with the government and others to create a development plan for the years 2020-2024. In the Mali Country Strategic Plan, it states that “the quality and effectiveness of resilience-oriented activities will be enhanced by implementing them as part of an integrated package, targeting the same people over a sustained period of time”. The main goal is for Malians to be able to meet their basic food and nutrition needs when a crisis occurs. Since droughts are so common in Mali, this is a goal that is necessary. The plan also predicts that by 2030, “national institutions and entities will have strengthened capacities to manage food security, nutrition and social protection policies, programmes and interventions in support of zero hunger; and humanitarian partners in Mali will have access to common services that enable them to reach and operate in crisis affected areas throughout the year”. These goals and efforts from the United Nations World Food Programme and government leaders are setting Mali up for success. The issues regarding poverty have been recognized and the country knows change is needed. However, the leaders need to hold these goals to a high importance. Philip Alston stated that in the past, the UN world leaders have promoted a self-congratulatory message of impending victory over poverty. This cannot continue to happen if they want to meet their goals.

            Overall, Mali is a country that has struggled with extreme poverty for years. Due to their high vulnerability to the country’s climate and landscape, droughts are a common problem and leave many of the citizens severely food insecure. Malnutrition is the leading cause of poverty in Mali and millions have been forced to face the consequences. Although there have previously been efforts to help reduce poverty, the number of people affected remains almost the same. The Mali Country Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2024 is the key to success. If all goes as planned, the country should have tremendous improvements by 2030.

References

Borgen, Clint. “Poverty in Mali: Malnutrition Issues and Lack of Education.” The Borgen Project, Clint Borgen Https://Borgenproject.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/The_Borgen_Project_Logo_small.Jpg, 28 May 2020, borgenproject.org/poverty-in-mali/.

“Mali Country Strategic Plan (2020 - 2024).” Mali Country Strategic Plan (2020 - 2024) | World Food Programme, www.wfp.org/operations/ml02-mali-country-strategic-plan-2020-2024.

“Philip Alston Condemns Failed Global Poverty Eradication Efforts - NYU School of Law.” CHRGJ, chrgj.org/2020/07/05/philip-alston-condemns-failed-global-poverty-eradication-efforts/.

Radelet, Steven. “Prosperity Rising.” Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2019, www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-12-14/prosperity-rising.

Yamaguchi, Alisa. “Why Is Mali Poor?” The Borgen Project, Alisa Yamaguchi Https://Borgenproject.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/The_Borgen_Project_Logo_small.Jpg, 12 July 2020, borgenproject.org/why-is-mali-poor/.