A/HRC/31/76 77. The Independent Expert notes, however, that the National Directorate of Social Development reported that, as at the end of October 2015, the number of displaced persons (14,154 households) and the number of refugees (137,651 individuals) had fallen. Even though certain attacks on the safety of displaced persons have decreased, specific measures are required to ensure that these persons are able to return with dignity and on a sustainable basis. They still face several human rights issues, in particular threats against physical integrity, including gender-based violence, limited access to health care, disruption to the education of displaced children and the lack of identity documents — all issues that could hamper the search for lasting solutions. 78. The Independent Expert stressed the need to ensure that more humanitarian actors are present in the north of the country, where access to humanitarian assistance remains very limited because of the deterioration in the security situation. The Independent Expert recalls the statement made by the Humanitarian Coordinator on 12 November 2015, in which she condemned the increase in violence against humanitarian organizations in Mali. In fact, most of the attacks against personnel and humanitarian facilities have occurred since June. The Independent Expert recalls that attacks against the personnel and facilities of humanitarian organizations are violations of international humanitarian law and subject to penalties. G. Economic, social and cultural rights 79. The Independent Expert met the country team and was told that approximately 3.1 million persons in Mali are considered to be food insecure; they live for the most part in the north, where forced displacements and limited access to humanitarian assistance have created the conditions for food insecurity. In Kidal, the Independent Expert met representatives of civil society organizations and heard a great deal about the shortage of safe drinking water and poor access to food and education. The Independent Expert received reports indicating that 54,000 people in the north of Mali do not have proper access to drinking water. 80. Recurrent attacks against humanitarian personnel adversely affect the delivery of humanitarian supplies and have a negative impact on civilians. In 2015, the Government, together with international partners such as the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, provided assistance to 220,000 of the 450,00 0 people in need of farming and livestock support. Entire communities may therefore be trapped, without access to food. 81. Regarding access to education, on 19 October 2015, MINUSMA human rights experts visited Ménaka secondary school. School administrators raised the issues of the shortage of teachers, who had left because of the lack of security, and the low enrolment rate at the school. At present, there is only one teacher for 223 students. Pending the return of the teachers, volunteers are trying to make up the shortfall. Administrators are also battling to meet the teaching and stationery needs of their pupils. The Independent Expert wishes to stress that this is just one example of the problems faced. 82. While progress has been made with regard to the problem of schools occupied by military actors, inasmuch as some schools have been evacuated as a result of efforts to that end, armed groups still occupy 10 schools in Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, which they use for military purposes. 83. Girls are, for their part, discriminated against in terms of access to education. Families concerned about the safety of girls, who are more likely to be victims of sexual violence, tend to keep them at home. Furthermore, girls have more GE.16-00837 15/18