Mali seeks international aid as floods leave 54 dead, thousands affected

BAMAKO, Mali

Mali’s junta administration on Friday sought international funding as floods wreaked havoc in the West African nation.

Health Minister Col. Assa Badiallo Toure said Mali needed aid of up to 3 billion CFA francs ($5 million).

During a meeting with diplomats and humanitarian partners, Toure stressed mobilizing additional resources to enable the government to deal with the material damage caused in Bamako and other regions of Mali.

Authorities said 54 people have died in 228 incidents of flood across 18 regions, where 18,140 households are in need of emergency assistance.

Toure sought “solidarity, mobilization and commitment” from all of Mali's partners amid natural disasters.

Rachna Kohonen, Washington’s ambassador to Mali, assured to extend aid through USAID as well as international and national NGOs.