The World Food Programme (WFP) has started distributing food coupons to people in Aguelhoc, a town in the Kidal region of Mali. The programme aims to support approximately 1,500 households, including displaced persons and host families. According to Aline Samu Nkuelo, WFP Representative and Director in Mali, the operation began in early September and will provide assistance to those in need.
The WFP's operation in Aguelhoc targets vulnerable populations, including displaced persons and host families. The programme allows beneficiaries to purchase food products from local traders using the coupons, based on their household needs. Before the launch of the operation, the WFP, its partners, and other agencies conducted a multisectoral assessment in the area to identify the needs of the population.
The assessment revealed that three out of four households surveyed faced significant difficulties in accessing adequate food. Additionally, 99% of households reported a substantial decline in their purchasing power. The WFP's assistance programme also prioritizes pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children due to the high levels of malnutrition observed in northern Mali.
The food coupon system allows households to choose products available from authorized traders in the locality. This mechanism relies on the availability of sufficient stocks and monitored prices during the operation. It also requires controls on the coupons distributed, transactions made, and reimbursements due to traders.
At the national level, the WFP estimates that over 1.5 million people faced acute food insecurity during the June to August 2026 period. An emergency assessment in June concluded that 40% of households surveyed required humanitarian assistance, while 4% reported having received assistance in the previous three months.
The WFP has faced funding challenges, leading to a reduction in the duration of certain assistance programmes from six to three months in 2026. As a result, over 200,000 vulnerable people were removed from assistance programmes following this revision of priorities. The WFP plans to monitor the impact of the programme and collect feedback from beneficiaries after the distributions.
The WFP's operation in Aguelhoc has provided nearly 8,000 people in approximately 1,500 households with coupons that can be used to purchase food products from local traders. The results of the programme, including nutritional outcomes and the effective duration of support, will be documented through the monitoring and evaluation process announced by the WFP.
Key points
- The WFP distributed food coupons to nearly 8,000 people in Aguelhoc, Mali.
- The programme targets vulnerable populations, including displaced persons and host families.
- The WFP faces funding challenges, impacting its ability to provide assistance to all those in need.
