«When we arrived in Mopti, we were housed in a school,» shares a displaced resident of Kouakourou, expressing deep gratitude. «We received generous assistance—rice, tea, sugar, oil, and powdered milk—all organized by an anonymous donor and coordinated by the local authorities.»

Yet life in a school is far from ideal, he continues. «Some people sleep outside in the courtyard, while others crowd into classrooms when it rains. It’s unbearable. Though food is available, it’s no substitute for dignity. Over 400 of us are squeezed into one school—conditions are deplorable.»

Kouakourou now stands empty. After an ultimatum from Jnim jihadists, residents had no choice but to flee. «Leaving everything behind is heartbreaking,» one displaced villager confesses. «All we want is to return home. Many fled with only the clothes on their backs—the terrorists took even our phones. And just as we were about to begin planting for the season, disaster struck. This year’s harvest is lost, a devastating blow.»