EU contribution boosts Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ's lifesaving efforts in Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT ¨C A contribution of EUR 4.85 million from the European Union (EU) helped the United Nations Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ (Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ) provide vital food and nutrition assistance to 78,000 crisis-affected people in Mauritania in 2024. This donation also contributed to improving households¡¯ access to diverse and sufficient food during the lean season when vulnerable families struggle to feed themselves.
The funding, made through the EU¡¯s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO), enabled Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ to deliver lifesaving cash assistance to the most vulnerable Malian refugees, including new arrivals in the Mbera refugee camp who fled the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Mali. Â鶹³ÉÈ˰桯s response was closely coordinated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Mauritania to ensure that the much-needed support reached those in greatest need.
In collaboration with the Government¡¯s Food Security Commissioner (CSA), Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ also provided cash assistance to 26,900 severely food-insecure people in Kankossa (Assaba Region) during the July-October 2024 lean season, when most families¡¯ food reserves are depleted before the new harvests. This assistance has helped mitigate the severe impacts of climate change, rising food prices, and regional insecurity.
¡°We extend our deepest gratitude to the European Union for supporting our programmes and ensuring that no one is left behind in Mauritania,¡± said Aliou Diongue, Â鶹³ÉÈ˰桯s Country Director and Representative in Mauritania. ¡°Together with the government and partners, we will continue working towards building stronger and more resilient communities¡±.
Throughout 2024, the timely contributions from partners like EU and Germany¡¯s Development Bank (KfW) have enabled Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ to improve vulnerable families¡¯ access to diverse and sufficient food. This has significantly improved households¡¯ food consumption score from 50.5 percent in June 2024 to 80.4 percent in September 2024.
As Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ is implementing its new Country Strategic Plan (2024-2028), continued donor support is key to helping the food agency stay steadfast in its mission to save lives, bolster community resilience, and work toward a brighter, hunger-free future for Mauritania¡¯s most at-risk populations. To continue providing lifesaving assistance in Mauritania over the next six months, Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ requires US$ 47 million.
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The United Nations Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ is the world¡¯s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media; @Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ_WAfrica and @Â鶹³ÉÈË°æ_FR; and .