大象传媒

For years, the Bandiagra escarpment of Mali was a magnet for tourists - a vast rock face studded with homes carved out of the sheer rock. The area's Dogon culture - including its intricately carved doors - has been celebrated around the world and was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 1989.

For hundreds of years this culture was protected by the Dogon's defensive position, but recent conflicts between Islamic State and the Malian government has led to the partial or total destruction of 30 of the area鈥檚 289 villages,聽and the loss of cultural objects and traditions.

Now the UN鈥檚 cultural organisation, Unesco, has announced that a fund of $1 million will be used to restore buildings, safeguard artifacts and help local people preserve traditional ceremonies and skills. It's being funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. Dr Sandra Bialystok is the organisation's spokesperson,

(Photo: Ireli, Dogon village at the Bandiagara Escarpment. Credit: Getty Images)

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