U.N. officials say they are deeply concerned about instability, armed groups and the prospect of widespread food shortages in Mali, where some 200,000 have fled their homes seeking refuge elsewhere in the region.

U.N. refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming says more than 2,000 fled to Burkina Faso and Mauritania in the past five days alone because of armed groups proliferating around northern communities and other violence since the March 22 military coup.

She told reporters Tuesday in Geneva that "mayhem in these towns and cities is increasing" amid fears of growing cross-border insecurity in West Africa.

The U.N.'s World Food Program spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said her agency is "particularly concerned" at the prospect of widespread food shortages.