A team from the MINUSMA Regional Office traveled to Assongo on September 2 to observe the living conditions of internally displaced persons and discuss the security situation.
The prefect of Ansongo, Mohamed Ag Aklini, gave the team an overview of the situation since the arrival of internally displaced people from the neighboring town of Tin-Hamma, fleeing the threats of armed groups. He stressed the need to provide basic necessities to the host communities of Ansongo whose resources are already meager. According to the mayor of Tin-Hamma, Mohamed Ag Mohamed, 504 households from five localities in his commune have sought refuge in Ansongo.
The Head of Office of the UN Mission in Gao, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, reiterated the support of the mission to the displaced populations and also recalled the actions undertaken by MINUSMA, in collaboration with the local authorities to protect the civilian populations. On August 29, 2022, alerted to threats in the Tin-Hamma area, MINUSMA conducted an overflight operation of the area by combat helicopters in order to deter any attack. A rapid reaction force was also deployed there by land. MINUSMA’s commitment and efforts to protect civilians at risk are part of a broader protection solution, to fight once morest insecurity, in order to allow the return of displaced persons to their localities.
The MINUSMA team also visited the site of displaced persons located on the outskirts of Ansongo. The displaced explained that they lack everything (water, food, blankets, etc.) and were forced to abandon their belongings, including their livestock.
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