South Algeria Malaria and Diphtheria – DREF Final (MDRDZ012)

Countries: Algeria, Mali Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date of event 28-09-2024 What happened, where and when? In July 2024, violent hostilities erupted in the Kidal region of northern Mali, near the Algerian border. Armed clashes between the Malian Armed Forces and rebel groups intensified the instability in the area, leading to widespread destruction and forcing thousands of civilians—particularly women and children—to flee their homes. By late July, an estimated 5, 000 to 6, 000 people had crossed into Algeria through the border town of Tinzaouatine in search of safety. This latest influx represented only the peak of a displacement movement that had started months earlier, resulting in tens of thousands of people on the move. As the population movement continued, the southern Algerian wilayas of In Guezzam and Bordj Badji Mokhtar became rapidly overwhelmed. The sudden arrival of large numbers of displaced families placed significant pressure on already fragile local services and contributed to the rapid escalation of a public health crisis. By late September, health authorities reported 536 confirmed cases of malaria, including 40 deaths, and 115 cases of diphtheria, with 28 fatalities. Environmental conditions further exacerbated the situation. Heavy rains in September created extensive stagnant water, providing ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and triggering a sharp rise in malaria cases. At the same time, low vaccination coverage among displaced populations—many coming from rural and underserved areas of Mali—accelerated the spread of diphtheria. The combination of high mobility, inadequate shelter conditions, and overstretched healthcare facilities created a perfect storm for the two outbreaks, placing thousands of vulnerable people at acute risk. Faced with the rapid deterioration of the health situation, the Ministry of Health officially reported the confirmed outbreak figures on 3 October 2024 and requested the support of the Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) to strengthen the response in the affected regions. The convergence of conflict-driven displacement, adverse environmental conditions and structural gaps in healthcare capacity resulted in a severe public health emergency in southern Algeria, prompting the launch of this DREF operation.

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