Financial Crime World

MALI: Risk Management Efforts to Mitigate Devastating Floods

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Floods and climate-related disasters have been wreaking havoc on Mali, affecting millions of people, destroying infrastructure, and causing significant economic losses. The “Flood Hazard and Climate Risk Management to Secure Lives and Assets in Mali” project aims to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to floods by developing sustainable approaches to land and water management.

Climate Change Projections

According to climate models, Mali is expected to experience a 3-4°C temperature increase by 2080, with more frequent and severe flooding events. Since the 1970s, Mali has seen an average temperature rise, and the country has experienced numerous devastating floods, including one in August 2013 that affected over 34,000 people.

Project Objectives

The project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to strengthen the capacity of national and local government authorities to plan and respond to flood risks. The project will deliver targeted adaptation benefits to:

  • 51 vulnerable communities in Bamako, Kayes, and Mopti districts
  • Over 1.2 million people across 120,000 households

Project Activities

To achieve this goal, the project will:

  • Establish sound climate information systems and devices for monitoring and forecasting flood hazards
  • Develop early warning systems
  • Implement risk mapping combining flood risks with socio-economic indicators
  • Conduct an education program and awareness-raising campaign to build a culture of safety and resilience among local communities

Project Outputs

The project’s outputs will include:

  • Commune-specific Flood Risk Reduction Plans
  • Design of building and settlement codes to decrease vulnerability to floods
  • Financial strategies to improve the financial capacity of local authorities
  • Enhanced technical capacity of national and local authorities on climate risk management planning

Expected Outcomes

By implementing these measures, the project aims to reduce the negative impacts of floods on local communities and infrastructure in Mali, ultimately saving lives and assets.