Mali’s displaced from Kouakourou face harsh realities in Mopti

Families uprooted from Kouakourou have found themselves in a cycle of uncertainty after being relocated to Mopti. Once settled in a local school, their living conditions remain far from ideal, revealing the stark challenges of displacement in central Mali.

Life in Makeshift Shelters

« When we arrived in Mopti, we were housed in a school,» shares one displaced resident. « We received food aid—rice, tea, sugar, oil, and powdered milk—but the gesture came from an anonymous donor, coordinated by the local authorities.» While the provisions provided temporary relief, the environment tells a different story.

« Living in a school isn’t sustainable,» the resident explains. « Some sleep outside in the courtyard, and when rain falls, everyone scrambles into the classrooms. It’s unbearable. We’re over 400 people now, and the food supply isn’t the issue. The real problem is the lack of proper living conditions.»

Empty Homes and Broken Dreams

Kouakourou, once a thriving village, now stands deserted. The ultimatum issued by armed groups left residents with no choice but to flee. « Leaving behind everything we owned was heartbreaking,» one displaced villager recounts. « We fled in haste, carrying only the clothes on our backs. Even our phones were taken. And to make matters worse, we were in the middle of preparing for the farming season. Now, that season is lost—along with our hopes for a harvest.»

The emotional and economic toll is immense. « All we want is to return home,» the resident emphasizes. « But safety remains our greatest concern.»