There is a growing humanitarian crisis in Mali’s Timbuktu, as only a restricted amount of food is permitted to enter the ancient city.

Development Diaries reports that armed groups are blocking food, medication, and other necessities from reaching more than 136,000 people, including about 74,000 children, who are stranded in the city.

It is understood that Timbuktu has been under the control and siege of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an offshoot of al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) responsible for the Sahel.

According to figures from the United Nations (UN), at least 33,000 people have been displaced around Timbuktu since the crisis began.

49 civilians were reportedly killed in a particularly horrific occurrence in September when they attempted to flee the besieged city on a boat, according to Save the Children.

The humanitarian situation in Mali has been a cause for concern due to a combination of political instability, armed conflict, and environmental challenges.

Mali, along with the larger Sahel region, has been suffering from increasing food insecurity for a number of years as a result of drought. This region is among the most vulnerable in the world to the effects of climate change.

The country has been grappling with armed conflict and political instability for years. The situation escalated in 2012 when various armed groups, including jihadist organisations, took control of the northern part of the country.

Despite international efforts to stabilise the region, conflict and political instability persist, leading to a complex and challenging humanitarian situation.

Humanitarian organisations have been working to provide food assistance and nutritional support, but the challenging security conditions often hinder their efforts.

Development Diaries calls on the Malian government to collaborate with regional and international security forces to address the root causes of the conflict.

Photo source: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid