19 Oct Climate issues in Eastern Mauritania

The Mauritanian desert context does not facilitate the living conditions of the population, many have difficulty meeting their daily needs. The East of this country, particularly the Hodh ech Chargui region, has been suffering from major droughts for several years. The animals are weakened, food is lacking. Rain sometimes comes but often in the form of a devastating storm, houses often built in Banco do not resist, people lose their homes and the little they have.

IOM is helping the people of this region with these climate problems. Distribution of basic equipment, shelter, access to water and consideration of health issues are priorities in emergencies. But the United Nations also supports communities over the long term, particularly through sustainable development actions. Committees of men and women are set up in each village. In order to address food insecurity, livestock are vaccinated and households receive sacks of livestock feed. As access to water is a major problem, well construction is an important activity to enable many villages to provide their population with this vital element for both people and livestock. Community stabilization and access to livelihoods remain a major challenge for this border region with Mali. In this context, IOM aims to combat food insecurity, strengthen resilience and empowerment while addressing the root causes of conflict, and promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive solutions. Approximately 48,000 people benefit from assistance in this desertification-affected region.

The president of the cooperative’s office in the village of Koussana in the Hodh ech Chargui region.

 
To support some vulnerable households, IOM distributes sacks of livestock feed. 

 In order to provide food stability in this difficult climate region, communities with the help of IOM have developed integrated farms including: fish farming, market gardening and poultry farming.