On June 16th, 2013, MATS Joyce Oppongwah was a Special Guest at the Humanitarian Press Conference on the conflict in Mali (West Africa) alongside the Mayor of Toms River; Joseph Champagne, Councilwoman Mildred, Ms. Barbara King, Director of International Affairs; Michael Gray.

There are an estimated 4.2 million Malians in need of humanitarian assistance; 270,765 displaced people inside Mali; and 176,777 Malian refugees in Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria (UNHRC). The recent escalation of fighting and resulting displacement is exacerbating the Sahel’s chronic food crisis and contributing to ever-rising levels of malnutrition.

In her speech, Joyce promised to continue using her voice to create more awareness for this crisis and urges every African to support our brothers and sisters in Mali especially at this urgent time