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In Koro, MSF brings healthcare closer to Burkinabe refugees

Since March 2023, the city of Koro, in central Mali, has been hosting thousands of Burkinabé refugees fleeing areas affected by armed violence in their home country. In 2024, local authorities estimated that there were more than 100,000 refugees in the region. This influx of refugees continues, year after year, toward Koro, a border town. In 2025, nearly 30,000 new refugees were counted, with the latest wave arriving in August following attacks on the villages of Andekanda, Ingane, and Poss, located in the northern and western regions of Burkina Faso. This year again, fleeing hostilities by armed groups, more than 7,000 refugees arrived in the town at the end of last May from border villages in Burkina Faso. Last February, UNHCR reported that nearly 68,000 had already been registered and sounded the alarm about a catastrophic situation, calling for swift action.

Needs have increased with the arrival of new arrivals despite the weakening of the humanitarian response. In this regard, the city faces an alarming humanitarian situation. In the face of this crisis, MSF has maintained its emergency response for the refugees. New arrivals in August 2025 have increasingly settled on the outskirts of Koro, far from healthcare facilities. To facilitate their access to healthcare, MSF teams are organizing mobile clinics at the reception sites in Kenewey, Benebana, Sadjourou, and Sana.

MSFSTO65249

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