3. - usaid

CHARACI'ERISTICS OF THE DISASTER
EVENT: Droue;ht
DATE-TIME: 1968-1969
LDCATICN:
Northern Mall
DISASTER VICITEZS:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISASTER:
People Requiring Energency Food
660,000
(See mican Drought M ~ D with The Gambia
Case Study)
he to a prolonged drought across West mica, harvests in the northern
part of Mali were seriously affected and food cmps were reduced by about
50 percent for the country as a whole. The most serious food needs were
in Kayes, Gao and Bamako. The most critical period for the dro@t victims
was expected to be from June throwh September 1969.
ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF W
Measures taken by the Govemnt of Mali to ameliorate the drought situation
included the movement of cereals frcPn mas of better harvests in the south,
steps to prevent the smuggling of cereals over the borders into other
countries In the drought region, and the importation of about 20,000 tons
of rice, principally from Thailand. The Government of Mall also asked for
food assistance f'run the United States.
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE U.
S. GOVERNMENT
The critical food shortages in Mali were confirmed by the U. S. Bnbassy
and AID personnel in the country and through visits by the Regional
Agricultural Attache, Monrovia, and the Regional Food for Freedm Officer,
in DakaD, Senegal. AIDA approved a grant of up to 15,000 tons of b w d
corn under Title I1 of Public Law 480 on May 29, 1969. If time requirements
for the delivery of the corn to Mali could not be met, it was ~POp0sed that
necessary advances of pin f'rom Title I1 stocks be diverted from other
countries or f'run local supplies. These would then be replaced frcm the
above 15,000 tons of corn, or if wins other than corn were diverted,
mplacement would be made of the specific comnodities advanced.