Mali

See a selection of Dieter Telemans' pictures from Mali.

Credit: Dieter Telemans

Mali, in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. This landlocked, former French colony gained its independence in 1960 but has since suffered rebellions, two coups and a 23 year military dictatorship.

From 1992, when the country's first democratically-elected president took power, Mali has remained relatively peaceful. Its press is now among the freest in Africa.

Two thirds of Mali is covered in desert and this harsh environment is deteriorating further as rainfall is reducing. Poverty is rife, with 64% of the population living below the poverty line - a situation hindered by few livelihood opportunities, limited basic services and the threat of HIV/AIDS infection.

Figures for the numbers of people with water and sanitation vary considerably. Official sources state that half of the population has access to safe water, but, as up to a third of all handpumps are likely to be broken, some estimates say a figure of 27% is more realistic.

As a result water-related diseases are common and child mortality is very high, with one in five children dying before their fifth birthday.

We now work with seven partner organisations providing water, sanitation and hygiene support to communities across Mali.

Credit: WaterAid / Daniel O'Leary

WaterAid in Mali

WaterAid's programme in Mali began in 2000 and it now works with seven partner organisations providing water, sanitation and hygiene support to communities in five out of Mali's eight regions (Tombouctou, Gao, Mopti, Segou and Koulikoro) and in the capital city, Bamako.

Communities are involved in all stages of these projects, from the planning through to building, maintenance and management.

In urban areas our partners are helping to establish communal tapstands that are linked to the city's main water supplies. Community members pay a small amount to buy their water and this is used to pay for the upkeep of the water point and for the wages of trained community members who manage it.

In rural areas WaterAid's projects focus on helping communities to deepen and protect hand-dug wells and fit them with either handpumps or buckets and windlasses to ensure that the water is not contaminated. Where possible broken handpumps are also mended.

The Malian Government has been extremely supportive of WaterAid's work.

Credit: WaterAid / Daniel O'Leary

Sanitation schemes include household latrines and school sanitation blocks.

Hygiene education is carried out in a variety of ways - one approach is community soapmaking through which women not only earn money and a new skill but also encourage good hygiene among their communities. The simple act of washing hands with soap and water at key times - such as after going to the loo and before eating - can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by over 40%.

Revolving credit schemes have also been introduced to communities and these enable women to buy buckets with lids which prevent water from becoming contaminated on the journey home.

WaterAid aims to target the most vulnerable sections of society in Mali - the poorest and the most marginalised, including women, the elderly, disabled and those living with HIV/AIDS. To assist with this, research into gender was carried out in 2005 and a project has also been developed to work with disabled people.

The vulnerability ranking system, initiated by WaterAid in Nigeria, has also been introduced in Mali to ensure projects are equitable. This system enables communities to decide how much each member pays for water, based on their financial situation, to ensure resources are allocated fairly.

Download the Mali country information sheet ( PDF 294K)