In 2015, 78 access constraints were registered in Mali; i.e, 3.5 times more than 2014. The majority of access constraints registered involved violence against staff, humanitarian goods/infrastructure (61%) and nearly one-fifth was related to the conflict and/or the continuation of hostilities (20%). The most affected regions were Gao (49%), and Timbuktu (40%).
MAIN ASSESSMENT
The operational environment remains extremely volatile across the regions in the centre and the north. Although there has been a significant increase in security incidents affecting NGOs in 2015 this has not necessarily resulted in access constraints.
With the signing of the peace agreement in June 2015, access constraints related to the conduct of hostilities have virtually disappeared (only 1 case reported after June) whereas violence against humanitarian actors has increased. Crime, terrorist acts and the presence of radical armed groups, remain major constraints for humanitarian access in Mali.