Refugees flee Mali as conflict worsens

"Military action has disrupted the work of some NGOs in the north. Action Against Hunger said it has suspended its programmes in Gao temporarily, and warned that clashes are hampering humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities. 'This new phase of the conflict is adding to the fragility of the population,' said Vincent Stehli, director of operations for Action Against Hunger. 'We fear the worst is yet to come in the spring – the period between harvests, when food reserves will be exhausted. For now, we have been forced to suspend our projects in Gao, as the hospital where we were treating malnourished children is closed.'"