HEADLINES
Following the intervention of French forces on 11 January 2013, Malian forces pushed the armed groups out of the town of Diabaly on 21 January and took control of Douentza. French and Malian troops have also taken back control of Konna. The first African troops from the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) of ECOWAS have arrived in Mali.
There have been humanitarian consequences. 11,000 more people have been displaced. These include 3,599 people reported in Mopti, Ségou and Bamako. As of 23 January, the number of estimated IDPs in Mali is 228,920. The number of Malian refugees in neighbouring countries is 152,372 of which 7,972 fled between 11 and 22 January.
UNICEF has coordinated the launch of multi-sectoral assessments in affected areas. UNICEF has also provided additional supplies and resources to partners for immediate response in accessible areas of the Mopti, Ségou, and Gao regions.
UNICEF is working with other United Nations agencies to establish civil-military cooperation. Key messages related to the protection of conflict-affected children have been shared with the Malian and French Armies. From 18 to 20 January, the first of 35 planned three-day training sessions on Gender and Child Protection in Armed Conflicts for Malian military personnel was held in Bamako.