UN official urges efforts to address humanitarian needs in Mali

A senior UN official on Friday urged the international community to make more efforts to address the growing humanitarian needs in Mali and its peace process.

The Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel Toby Lanzer made the remarks in the Malian capital of Bamako after he wrapped up a five-day visit in Mali, stressing that "humanitarian needs will only grow in Mali if there is no full commitment to peace and stability," according to a UN press release.

Lanzer met with Malian government representatives and several humanitarian partners. In Timbuktu, a Malian city, he met with communities affected by the crisis and frontline humanitarian aid workers.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 3.1 million people are suffering from food insecurity in Mali's lean season. Some 410,000 of them require immediate assistance and 715,000 children are threatened by acute malnutrition.

This year's humanitarian appeal for Mali calls for 377 million U.S. dollars to address the urgent needs.

Lanzer called on the international community to "remain engaged to ensure aid agencies have the resources they need to save lives and boost self-reliance of the most vulnerable communities."