Mauritania

20 November 2024

The number of Malian refugees in Mauritania has been sharply increasing since 2023, with over 100,000 arrivals recorded between January–September 2024. By 31 October, Mauritania was hosting nearly 145,000 Malian refugees, who had left their country to flee the escalation of clashes and worsening economic conditions. Camps, such as Mbera camp in Hodh El Chargui region, are already overcrowded and at full capacity, leaving about 152,000 refugees living outside camps. Among the new arrivals, four out of ten households are led by women, and one in five children are living without adult guardians. There are severe shortages in water and sanitation services, leading to widespread open defecation, aggravating health risks. The refugees also lack access to adequate shelter, healthcare, protection, and education services. Nearly all surveyed refugees depended on informal employment for survival, while a third relied on receiving money from others. (IFRC 14/11/2024, UNHCR 30/10/2024, UNHCR accessed 19/11/2024)

12 June 2024

In Mauritania, food insecurity will likely deteriorate during the 2024 lean season (April–September) in agropastoral and rain-fed areas. 8% (364,800) of the population will likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity, with 2% facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels between June–August – up from 5% facing IPC 3 levels between October–December 2023. As harvest resources deplete, people will rely more on markets for food. Here, the prices of items such as oil, sugar, and vegetables remain higher than average given increased demand. Food needs are high among the Malian refugees in Mbera camp and the host communities in areas where refugees are residing, e.g. Hodh el Chargui region. By the end of April, there were around 12,000 refugees in Mbera camp and more than 82,000 outside the camp. (FEWS NET 04/06/2024, Govt. Mauritania/WFP 13/12/2024)

12 March 2024

A recent influx of Malian refugees to Hodh Chargui region in eastern Mauritania is contributing to straining local sources and increasing food insecurity levels. The escalating conflict and insecurity in Mali have driven over 14,000 people to seek refuge in January alone. In Hodh Chargui, there were 104,600 registered Malian refugees, with more than 95,800 refugees staying in Mbera camp as at 31 January. One-third of the new arrivals are dependent on charity from the host population to cover needs such as food and water, while others have brought their livestock with them and depend on income from daily work. Food needs across the region are likely to increase because of the pressure on local sources following the arrival of refugees. Below-average rainfall in 2023 has also reduced the availability of food and contributed to rising prices in markets.
(FEWS NET 29/02/2024, UNHCR 27/02/2024)