The United States is providing $6 million in new humanitarian aid, and $5 million in economic aid, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mauritania, where nearly 680,000 people are facing severe hunger – the worst increase in malnutrition in the community. the country in ten years. The failure of the 2021 monsoon in Mauritania has led to the effect of rising food prices – exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19, making it difficult for vulnerable families to meet their daily needs.
Communities in the south of Mauritania are facing a severe drought, where farmers are suffering from the loss of many crops, and the shepherds are moving their animals in search of food and better conditions. Mauritania has also hosted about 87,000 refugees, most of whom have fled from conflict and violence in neighboring Mali, who rely on food aid to meet their daily needs.
Today’s donation will provide emergency food assistance to approximately 150,000 people. USAID will provide financial assistance to refugees living in the Mbera refugee camp, enabling families facing hunger to buy food from the local market, and supporting the local economy. .
USAID’s cash assistance will also help poor, drought-affected Mauritania buy enough food during the ongoing dry season, also known as the “hunger season,” to prevent families from resorting to coping mechanisms, such as selling and cows that give birth due to forced migration. for eating.
USAID’s economic support, through America’s Advancement Program, will enhance existing social protection and security networks, and improve youth skills and market opportunities through learning, mentoring, and financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises. market, and linkages with private sector partners for efficient food processing. Security deterioration in the short and long term.
The United States has been an important donor to Mauritania, with this latest announcement bringing US aid to $19 million in fiscal year 2022 alone.
This is more than 15 million US dollars of development aid, based on the approval of the national parliament, which the United States will invest in the Sahel region, to support new ways of food production and food production through the market. This grant is part of $2.76 billion in additional US government resources to protect the world’s vulnerable populations from global food insecurity exacerbated by Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and drought.
For the latest information on US humanitarian assistance to Mauritania, visit here.
