THE founder of a West?Devon-based charity that works for sustainable development in Mali has called for the Government to help resolve long-term issues surrounding the country's conflict.

Caroline Hart from Chagford founded the Joliba Trust, which works in more than 200 villages in the poorest region of central Mali. The charity supports grassroots development work with farming and cattle-raising communities in central Mali.

Ms Hart set up the charity following a visit to Mali more than 20 years ago. She was so touched by the hospitality of villagers during her stay that she decided to do what she could to help small agricultural projects. After starting with a single £80 donation to support the purchase and growth of vegetables for a single village, more than 200 villages now feel the benefit of the Joliba Trust's work.

The charity is run from an office in Ms Hart's Chagford home and 97% of the money raised is spent directly helping those in need. The charity warmly welcomes the support of anyone willing to raise funds or offer help in any other capacity.

'It is always good to try and make people think about issues affecting Mali and the whole of Africa. I hope we can attract some more people to support our efforts,' said Ms Hart.

Since January 2012, several insurgent jihadist extremist groups have been fighting a campaign against the Malian government, taking control of the north of the country.

Last month, France sent troops into Mali to launch an operation against these insurgents.

Up to 40 British military personnel will take part in an EU mission to train Malian soldiers, with a further 200 troops earmarked to take part in a separate training mission to support the government there. Prime Minister David Cameron has ruled out a combat role for UK troops in the country.

While praising the UK?Government's stance, Ms Hart feels that much more needs to be done to strike at the heart of the extremists, particularly working with other countries to close drug smuggling routes funding extremist activity.

Last month she met with Joliba Trust staff in Burkina Faso, which borders southern Mali, to discuss the charity's future during a prolonged period of unrest. At present, the charity's work has been largely unaffected by the conflict.

'I think the UK Government have been great. They have offered training, which is actually what's needed,' said Ms Hart.

'The Malian army is very untrained. I just think it needs to be a lot more than that. We need to look at the causes, and not just looking at military action.

'You can't actually win a war on terror with military action alone. We have seen that, particularly with a badly trained army. It could provoke all sorts of awful problems.

'These jihadists have been incredibly well funded by the cocaine trade. When other drug routes from South America to Europe were closed off, they flew them into Northern Mali and onto Europe that way. That is the core of the problem. It provides them with huge resources.

'You've won the battle 90% if the drugs trade was beaten. It is a very complicated issue, the drugs trade and smuggling, but it really does need addressing. We've seen the same situation in Afghanistan. We didn't succeed with military action, we need to strike at the causes more than that.

'Mali has a strong and incredibly peaceful culture, and has a socially cohesive society. My big worry is seeing that wonderful society going. That is Mali's real resource for the future.'

Last year, Central Devon MP Mel Stride visited the Joliba Trust to discuss its work.

Mr Stride said: 'I specifically raised the issue of human rights in Mali with Ministers on the floor of the House as this is already a major issue on all sides of this conflict.

'In addition, there are serious humanitarian challenges as thousand of Malians who have been displaced return home with next to no means of support.

'I will continue to press on these issues in Parliament and I am very grateful to Caroline for the insight that she has been able to give me. The work of the Joliba Trust has never been more important than it is today.'

For more information on the Joliba Trust, visit http://www.jolibatrust.org.uk">www.jolibatrust.org.uk