Mali Clinic Supplies to Protect Against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and affect people around the globe in ways big and small. While there has been considerable progress in vaccine distribution, vaccination rates remain low in Mali and the virus continues to affect local communities. 

The U.S. Embassy in Mali has kept frequent updates on the COVID pandemic and its effect on the Malians. On August 29, 2022, the government of Mali proclaimed that there have been 31,337 overall confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic, with 739 deaths and 30,457 recoveries. 

Additionally, there have been many adverse effects in Mali due to the pandemic. According to the World Bank, Mali is currently facing an economic recession due to virus. The primary driver of this recession struck Mali when there was a 79% decline of cotton output in the year 2020, which was a result of a drastic decrease in international prices because of the pandemic. Significant funding was reallocated from its previous non-priority investments to accommodate those most affected by the virus, and with the lack of foreign aid, the Malian government was forced to solely rely on its own financing. Therefore, funding was primarily filtered to pandemic needs, which restricted all other expenditures, thus propelling the recession.

This economic plummet has been greatly felt by the population of Mali. According to the World Bank, this recession affected nearly 900,000 more people. They have lost their homes, jobs, or livelihoods because of this tragedy. Mali is struggling to regain economic stamina after this massive COVID hit, as well as working towards recovery from the virus.