In the Taoudenni region of northern Mali, nomadic pastoralist communities live in a harsh desert environment, moving regularly in search of grass and water for their herds. This mobility defines their identity and sustains their livelihoods. The region, located near the Algerian border and known for its ancient salt mines, faces multiple conflicts that displace populations and exacerbate poverty, making access to health services, including vaccinations, extremely challenging.
Children from nomadic groups such as the Berabiche, Tuareg, and Sonrhai Arab tribes often miss routine immunizations and remain highly vulnerable to preventable diseases. According to the 2023–2024 Demographic and Health Survey, 13% of children aged 12 to 23 months nationwide have not received any vaccines, and many nomadic children are not recorded in official health data. Reaching these children requires strategies that account for their constant mobility.
The Attama project, led by the civil society organization Association Vivre au Sahel (AVS), addresses these challenges with a mobile healthcare and community engagement approach. Vaccination sessions are organized at weekly markets, community wells, transhumance corridors, and AVS food distribution points. The project emphasizes adapting health services to the communities’ lifestyle rather than expecting nomads to access static health centers.
Logistical challenges are significant, as sandy desert roads limit vehicle access. AVS uses camels to transport both personnel and vaccines to isolated camps, integrating vaccination efforts into the local cultural context. Community relays, including mothers’ clubs and local leaders, help track zero-dose children and ensure follow-up doses, even when children are found far from their home villages.
Since its launch, the Attama project has provided the first pentavalent vaccine dose to 6,531 children, including 511 zero-dose children aged 12 to 23 months. By following nomadic paths and collaborating closely with local actors, the initiative demonstrates that mobile, culturally sensitive strategies can successfully deliver essential healthcare without disrupting traditional ways of life.
