Madar (Bamako) - More than 3,400 people have taken refuge in Macina, in central Mali's Ségou region, after fleeing attacks on Souleye and Touara since September 2026, joining some 5,000 displaced people already in the town, Studio Tamani radio reported on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Most of the displaced are women and children living in precarious conditions, some sleeping in the open with insufficient access to food, drinking water and latrines, while some families have been taken in by relatives or residents, the outlet said.
Médecins Sans Frontières has reported many cases of respiratory infections and malaria, raising fears of worsening health risks, especially for children.
"People from Souleye started arriving in Macina on 2 and 3 September 2026," said Moussa Kiré, acting head of Macina's social development service, which registered 134 households from the village. Displaced people from Touara began arriving from 15 September.
Needs include "shelter, food and non-food items, dignity kits and above all psychosocial support", he said, adding that needs remain large despite help from some NGOs, according to Studio Tamani.
