The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Thursday said that Mali is facing severe threats of food security and access to education, reported a UN spokesperson.

At the daily briefing here, Martin Nesirky, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, quoted the humanitarian office as saying that "4.6 million people remain at risk of food insecurity in Mali and that access to food for people living in the north is deteriorating."

The north of Mali remains occupied by Islamic militants, after a coup earlier this year, and ruled under strict Sharia law, which imposes especially harsh restrictions on women.

The spokesperson said that access to education for thousands of children in the north is also a major challenge.

"In the south of the country, more than 130 schools have been damaged following floods in September and October," said Nesirky.

Quoting the humanitarian office's findings, the spokesperson added that "funding remains insufficient, with only 49 percent of requirements covered."