Repatriated refugees in the Sahel country of Mauritania coping with drought

Dry market garden due to lack of rainfall

Barren land

Dead livestock due to drought

Farm field
 

Water collection point

 

Woman with a farming tool returning from the field

Women sewing

Woman tying cloth for dyeing

Repatriated refugee dwelling

Rice field

Approximately 20,000 repatriated refugees face drought in the Sahel country of Mauritania. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to visit and interview the repatriated refugees who had been relocated in several sites in the South of Mauritania. The returnees faced a number of challenges due to precarious housing, limited access to fertile land and the overall scarcity of resources including water. Although Mauritania is a desert country, where agriculture can be challenging, the recent drought has exacerbated the situation. Minimal rainfall and drought have seriously impeded farming, crop production, and caused loss of livestock.

Fortunately various NGOs are present in the area to help the returnees rebuild their livelihoods, settle down, and cope with the drought. Also, the introduction of microfinance/microcredit has allowed returnees, particularly women, to engage in income generating activities such as sewing, tailoring, knitting, cloth dyeing, and sales of livestock, vegetables and other goods. Moreover, through NGO’s programs, the young people who have dropped out of school can also benefit from vocational trainings to allow them to find a source of income.

In some sites, Oxfam was distributing $50 to individuals to help them manage the drought season. Individuals who were asked attested that this cash transfer would help them weather the food crisis. 

Djeynaba