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Crisis Severity0 Very lowVery high 5
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Impact0 Very lowVery high 5
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Humanitarian Conditions0 Very lowVery high 5
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Complexity0 Very lowVery high 5
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Access ConstraintsNo constraintsExtreme constraints
Key figures
Special Reports
Overview
Mauritania is vulnerable to natural hazards, such as droughts and flooding, which heighten malnutrition rates, disrupt livelihoods, and lead to deteriorating food insecurity levels. The country is also facing the dire consequences of climate change. The land in Mauritania is mainly desert, and only about 0.5% is arable land. As a result, most of the population relies on traditional agriculture and livestock farming and is heavily dependent on the rainy seasons. Over 22% of people live in poverty, and 9.8% of children are facing acute malnutrition. In December 2022, more than 990,000 people were projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels or worse during the 2023 post-lean season (April–June).?
Mauritania was hosting more than 98,000 refugees from Mali as at November 2022. Many Malian refugees have lived in Mauritania since 2012, but their number has sharply increased since March 2022, owing to increased violence and insecurity in Mali. Most refugees live in the Mbera refugee camp (Hodh el Chargui region), and returns to Mali remain unlikely because of continued insecurity. Refugees have been slowly integrating into society, with the majority working in farming, agriculture, or fishing in Lake Mahmouda. Since 2019, they have experienced consecutive periods of drought characterised by a lack of rain and increasing temperatures that affect their livelihoods. More than 60% of refugee households report inadequate food consumption. Despite the impact of climate change, some humanitarian organisations have had to significantly cut food assistance in Mauritania because of a lack of funding. This will likely result in increased poverty and food insecurity.?
INFORM measures Mauritania's risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster to be medium at 4.9/10.?
Latest Developments
No recent significant humanitarian developments. The crisis is being monitored by our analysis team.
Key Priorities
Food security: Over 660,000 people (15% of the total country population) are estimated to face IPC Phase 3 or above levels of food insecurity during the lean season between June–August 2022. This constitutes a 36% increase compared to 2021 and an 8% increase compared to 2020. ?
Over 484,000 people faced IPC Phase 3 or above levels of food insecurity between June–August 2021 –a 21% decrease from over 609,000 people facing the same levels in June–August 2020. ?
Nutrition: Malnutrition is widespread in Mauritania, with more than 340,000 people in need of nutrition assistance. Over 470,000 children (27%) live in extreme poverty. It is estimated that over 136,000 children will face acute malnutrition, including more than 32,700 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in 2022.?
WASH: Over 84,000 people are facing lack of access to safe water. Floods and droughts are affecting people’s ability to access WASH services.?