As Mauritania is experiencing first-hand the consequences of the aggravation of the situation in Central Sahel, with an increase in the number of refugees and returnees crossing the border from Mali since the end of 2023, the Commission will provide €4 million in initial humanitarian aid for 2025. This brings the total EU humanitarian assistance in Mauritania to €159 million since 2007.
The new funding will support the urgent needs of Malian refugees, Mauritanian returnees, and the most vulnerable host populations.
Assistance includes:
- food aid,
- water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions,
- provision of shelter,
- refugee registration, protection assistance, and adapted psychosocial support.
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “For years, Mauritania’s government and host communities have shown remarkable solidarity in welcoming refugees. Yet ongoing insecurity in Mali continues to force families to flee, straining resources and complicating coexistence. We remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable—refugees, Mauritanian returnees, and local communities—working with development partners to strengthen resilience.”
