Mali

In Mali, almost 70% of the population lives in poverty.

Poverty in this country stems from both geographical and social problems. Two-thirds of the country is a desert or semi-desert that experience long yearly periods of drought. While vulnerable populations in these areas already suffer from chronic food insecurity, the worsening droughts make it harder for people to cope with and recover from food shortages.

Widespread poverty, food insecurity, and instability from conflict have led to alarming numbers of childhood malnutrition. The coronavirus pandemic has also caused a sharp drop in growth and thrown an extra 800,000 Malians into poverty.