PROGRAM: Mali
TITLE AND NUMBER: Development in the North, 688-005
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,719,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $800,000 DA, $381,000 CSD
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Summary: The Development in the North activity supports the people of the three northern regions of Mali in acquiring the capacity and confidence to maintain stability through broad-based and sustainable local development. The activity will strengthen civil society's ability to operate as an effective partner with government in planning and decision-making, increase economic activity and income, and increase the availability and access to basic social services. The stability of the northern regions is dependent on the reintegration of northern ex-combatants and refugees into Mali as productive elements of civil society, and is important to U.S. interests in peace and economic development.

In collaborative efforts with other donors, USAID has concentrated on three priorities: (1) helping civil society become an effective partner with central and local government in development planning and decision-making; (2) ensuring that economic activity and income from productive sectors are increased significantly; and (3) working towards the goal that access to basic social services (education and health) approach parity with southern Mali.

The FY 2001 planned obligation of: Development Assistance (DA) Economic Growth ($2,500,000) will finance management training of community organizations, associations, government officials and elected representatives and development of community schools and community health centers; DA Agriculture ($1,219,000) will fund improvements in small irrigation, livestock, micro-finance, and environmental protection; and fund additional potable water resources for humans and livestock.

The FY 2002 resources requested are: Development Assistance (DA) Agriculture ($150,000) to support production and marketing of selected products; DA Other Economic Growth ($150,000) in support of micro-credit and income-generating activities; DA Environment ($400,000) for support of natural resource management intervention and conservation initiatives; DA Democratic Governance ($100,000) for supporting capacity development of community organizations and other representative groups; and Child Survival and Diseases (CSD) Basic Education ($381,000) for support of community school development;

Key Results: The Development in the North Special Objective is making a steady progress towards meeting its long term strategic goal and short term intermediate results.

Although no case of armed rebellion was reported during 2000, the number of incidents reported during the year show that banditry is still rampant and conflicts between rival communities are frequent. Many carjacks of four-wheel-drive vehicles were reported, including an incident where one USAID/Mali vehicle was attacked and stolen by a group of armed bandits on January 24, 2000. Numerous internal clashes were also reported. Representatives of 128 community organizations attended training sessions intended to improve their management skills and clarify their roles and responsibilities. The USAID's private voluntary organization (PVO) partners have created a total of 547 income generating activities to date, guided by the financial and or technical assistance made available by each implementing PVO. Additionally, USAID's PVO partners organizations have established 26 community schools, expanding enrollment by 2,471 students. They also constructed or renovated 66 water points.

Performance and Prospects: Overall performance of the North activity is satisfactory. No case of armed rebellion was reported in FY 2000 and Mali is still enjoying a period of peace. The total area of land developed for cereal and forestry production (1,291 hectares) is almost double the initial performance target (682 hectares). The market value of the cereal, forestry, and garden production for FY 2000 is estimated at $300,000 (compared to $330,000 planned). Savings mobilized were almost double the planned target. Loans of $660,000 were granted, almost triple the planned amount. Registered visits to health centers created/renovated with USAID support totaled 435 in FY 2000 (out of a planned 4,000 visits). This low performance could be linked to the nomadic migration patterns of the people in the North and the basic difficulties of access to transport over vast distances.

By 2002, USAID will have trained 339 community organizations in basic management/civic education. Likewise, about 755 small income-generating activities will have been initiated with the financial and/or technical assistance of USAID supported private voluntary organizations. A sizeable portion of these small businesses will be owned and/or managed by women entrepreneurs. A total of 68 primary schools will be created and will enroll approximately 7,130 students. The overall gross student enrollment rate in primary school in the three northern regions is expected to increase to 41%. Another expected result is the construction or renovation of 128 water points.

Building on the progress made, assistance for the establishment of basic social services will be included in the new health and education strategic objective activities when the new strategic plan is implemented in 2003, rather than as separate parts of a special objective strategy. Income generating activities and civic education activities will be undertaken more intensively as northern initiatives under the new strategic plan.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: None Anticipated.

Other Donor Programs: Locally elected bodies, the key GRM ministries of health, education and agriculture are all participants in this program. Collaboration and close coordination with other donors, especially the World Food Program, the United Nations Development Program, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and bilateral organizations active in the north, are already underway.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID's development partners include: Action Against Hunger, AFRICARE, CARE, Medical Care Development International, and World Vision.

FY 2002 Performance Tables

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