Sahel Caritas unite to address Mali humanitarian emergency

A comprehensive communication strategy was set in motion during a regional meeting.

Ouagadougou, February 20, 2013 – Caritas organisations from across the Sahel are joining forces to tackle the food and socio-political crises affecting the region. The meeting, which opened on February 19 in Burkina Faso’s capital, brings together representatives from Caritas Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. These groups have been operating under the Sahel Caritas platform since 2007.

The gathering, which runs until February 23, includes information officers and emergency response coordinators. Their goal is to build a regional communication system linking these Catholic aid organisations.

The session is part of the Emergency Appeal 28/2012 project, titled “Capacity Building for Preparedness and Comprehensive Response of Caritas to Humanitarian Emergencies Caused by the Crisis in Mali.”

Father Isidore Ouédraogo, executive secretary of Caritas Burkina, explained that the concrete aim of the meeting is to establish a shared working framework for all communication and emergency heads of the Sahel Caritas. This framework should improve their ability to respond effectively.

Estimates indicate that approximately 300,000 Malian refugees are currently hosted in neighbouring countries.