UNITED NATIONS
Clashes, which have been continuing since last year in Mali, displaced 400,000 people, while 150,000 took shelter in Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria.
Also, 210,000 children are faced with extreme malnutrition risk, according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Incidents in Mali began with Tuaregs' uprising and continued with clashes, coup attempt, risk of division and finally France's military intervention.
According to UN, 4.3 million people need help both in Mali and neighboring countries. The amount of assistance, which is planned to be given to these people within 2013, is 370 million USD.
Only one percent of this amount (nearly 3 million USD) had been committed to UN which initiated an aid campaign for Malians.
The biggest obstacle before the UN's assistance is security problems. UN had to suspend its relief activities due to rising clashes in January. After French forces dispatched the armed groups from important cities of Mali, UN resumed its efforts.
Reporting by Mustafa Keles
