OutFront of the Mali Crisis: Helping Mali Refugees
During what Amnesty International calls “the worst human rights situation in 50 years,” 250,000 people have fled Mali as Islamic militants, with links to Al-Qaeda, took control of the northern part of the country.
OutFront first reported on the crisis during the coup in March and, this week, Erin Burnett became the first U.S. anchor to broadcast live and on-site from a Malian refugee camp, just miles from the country’s border.
Why Mali matters: al Qaeda on the rise
During her time at the camp, she was moved by the stories she heard, particularly those from children.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the crisis that touched Erin was a projection by the World Food Program that Malian refugee camps would run out of food in the next month. And Erin saw it first hand - the immense need for food and water. She also saw young children at the camp playing with small dead birds – their toys – and expressed how meaningful it would be to have soccer balls to play with instead.
Erin Burnett 'OutFront' with Mali's refugee children
Hoping to improve the situation, Erin Burnett OutFront wants to do something to help. We are calling it OutFront OutReach to give the crisis a platform, and so that our many viewers can give directly to the Malian refugee crisis.
OutFront OutReach is working with Save the Children to send food, water, and medicine to refugees. Please feel free to follow this link to give food and water to Malian refugees as part of Save the Children: Mali Hunger Crisis Children in Emergency Fund.
OutFront OutReach is also working with One World Futbol Project to donate specially made soccer balls to Mali. The new initiative is called “Balls to Mali,” and the balls will go directly to the Mali Refugee Camp. Please follow the link to make a donation. Note: One World Futbol Project is a for-profit organization and you will not receive a tax deduction from your donation.
There are other organizations helping out with Mali as well – feel free to follow these links and support these organizations as well
The United States Association for UNHCR (USA for UNHCR) supports the UN Refugee Agency's humanitarian work to protect and assist refugees around the world. This fund goes toward helping provide food, water, and shelter to Malian refugees.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. This fund allocates money to help fight the West Africa food & Mali refugee crisis in Niger and Mauritania.
Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. This West Africa Food Crisis Fund helps aid the Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania.
World Food Programme is the food aid arm of the United Nations system. This fund goes toward providing food to those affected by the refugee & hunger crisis by aiding the Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania.
On Twitter
Expecting some dough soon... Do these kids still need Plumpy'nut & soccer balls?
Are they still there?
"After the life I've been given by the American people, I'd be ashamed if I didn't do it." (Pres. Clinton, CGIU 2013)
Wonder how these kids are doing, or where the heck they are.
Wonderful work, and ideas so we can all be more aware and do something to help! Thank you!!!
You gotta do more of these OutReach segments. Of course, try not to put yourselves to far into harm's way or anything, but this is real "good works" stuff.
Good stuff. Well done.