The Malian government declared a national state of emergency on Friday following weeks of relentless heavy rains that have resulted in the deaths of 30 people since June.
According to a government statement released after an emergency cabinet meeting, the floods have affected 7,077 households across the country, displacing or impacting 47,374 individuals.
In the capital city, Bamako, 563 households and 4,639 people were directly impacted by the flooding, with five lives lost. The northern region of Gao was the worst affected, with six fatalities and nearly 10,000 people suffering from the devastating effects of the floods.
The heavy rains have not only wreaked havoc in Mali but have also caused widespread destruction across the Sahel region, claiming 217 lives in neighbouring Niger and leaving dozens dead in Chad.
In response to the crisis, Mali’s cabinet has allocated 4 billion CFA francs (approximately $7 million) to stockpile essential food supplies and provide assistance to those affected by the floods. The government is mobilising resources to support displaced families and those in dire need across the country.