Responding to Drought

Mauritania suffered from a severe drought that began in the 70’s, and lasted for more than a decade. The drought prompted an urgent response from World Vision throughout the Tagant and Assaba regions. In the 80's, and as a result of the drought, there was a massive exodus of the country’s rural populations towards urban cities. In response, World Vision expanded its work to include urban development programmes throughout the capital city, Nouakchott.

World Vision in Mauritania

Since 1984, World Vision has focused its work in Mauritania on health, nutrition, water and sanitation and economic development. 

World Vision works in urban areas in the district of Nouakchott, and in the rural areas of Assaba, Brakna, Gorgol Wilaya and Tagant  This work is focused on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and economic development.

Illiteracy rates are high in Mauritania and universal access to education for all boys and girls is also a major challenge for World Vision. Only 44% of all boys and 39% of girls complete their first six years at primary school. It is virtually impossible for a girl to continue with her education after sixth grade (or 16 years of age) in rural locations. Often families are reluctant, or lack the means, to send their girls outside of their villages to colleges located in nearby towns.

Improving the population’s access to clean drinking water is another focus of World Vision’s work in Mauritania. Less than 20% of the country’s population has access to safe drinking water, mostly in the capital city and larger towns.  World Vision seeks to improve access to water through the construction of boreholes and water distribution, community water management projects, and training on basic hygiene and sanitary practices.