Highlights
Mauritania continues to suffer from a multi-dimensional crisis related to food insecurity, the high prevalence of malnutrition, the presence of Malian refugees, and significant flooding that hit the country in 2014.
Preliminary results for Nutrition SMART survey planned for July- conducted in August 2014, are available. National Global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate decrease from 13.1% in July 2013 to 9.8% including 1% of severe cases. Nutrition situation in five regions (Gorgol, Assaba, Tagant, Hod El Chargui and Hod El Garbi) are classified as serious with GAM rate over 10%. But situation in Guidimakha region remain critical with a GAM rate at 16%, exceeding the emergency threshold. UNICEF continues to work with the government and partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, aiming in particular to treat 30,741 children under five suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
Since the last reporting period UNICEF has continued to provide life-saving interventions to the Malian refugees in Mberra Refugee Camp and to the Host Community, in close coordination with the Government of Mauritania, UNHCR as well as other UN agencies and NGOs.
As part of the Ebola preparedness response, UNICEF is actively participating to weekly coordination meetings organized by the Ministry of Health, and supporting the government in their mass media campaign on good hygiene practices (in order to reduce the risk of contamination).
UNICEF is requesting 14.2 million USD to respond to the humanitarian needs in Mauritania in 2014. 38% of this amount has been funded as of September 2014 and UNICEF would like to acknowledge in particular the generous contribution of the Government of Japan and other donors in support to its emergency
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
According to the SMART Survey conducted in August 2014, the prevalence of the Global Acute Malnutrition has been significantly reduced and is under the 10% threshold at the national level (only the Guidimakha region is still above the critical threshold of more than 15% - and 4 other region remain under the alert threshold of under 10%). However, this positive trend should be analysed with caution due to the increase in the food insecurity (FSMS survey conducted by WFP and CSA in June 2014).
According to UNHCR, an estimated 53,474 people live in the Mberra refugee camp in the South-East of Mauritania, of which 56 per cent are children under 18. Life-saving interventions, such as treatment for acute malnutrition cases (2,120 SAM expected in 2014), measles vaccinations, and the provision of clean water continue to be needed. Moreover, more than 9,600 (59%) of school age children have not yet access to education. 45,000 people living in host communities are estimated to have been impacted by the Malian crisis. The needs of these communities are also being addressed and assistance given to reinforce basic services and resilience.
In regard to the floods in the Gorgol Region, UNICEF and the National Red Crescent Society (NRCS) procured essential items to 690 households displaced from their place of origin to a safe area identified by the local authorities. In the Tagant Region, UNICEF and its partner Moundi ASPD also procured essential items to reduce the increase of diarrheal diseases related to unusual rainfalls. In both cases, UNICEF and its partners promoted essential family practices.
In order to improve its emergency response and preparedness capacities related to floods and the risk of an Ebola outbreak, UNICEF is refilling the NRCS’s emergency stock and implementing new emergency standby agreements with NGOs. In addition, UNICEF is supporting the National Committee led by the Ministry of Health in the national mass sensitization campaign against Ebola.
