The Government of Japan has provided US$6 million for the humanitarian efforts of three United Nations agencies in Mauritania: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The three agencies work in collaboration with the Government of Mauritania to strengthen security nationwide and protect Malian refugees and support vulnerable local communities in the country’s semi-arid south-eastern Hodh ech Chargui region, where the harsh climate and instability have undermined livelihoods, increased displacements and deepened food insecurity.
“In partnership with the United Nations system, Japan supports the actions of the Mauritanian Government in several areas, including activities to strengthen the capacity of the Mauritanian authorities in managing its borders, controlling illicit trafficking, fighting against terrorism and radicalism, as well as providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Mauritanian populations and protecting refugees,” Japan’s Ambassador to Mauritania, Hisatsugu Shimizu.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in northern Mali in 2012, the Government of Mauritania has ensured international protection and a safe asylum space for Malians who sought refuge in Mbera camp, located in Hodh ech Chargui region. Displacement in this area has placed a further strain on already scarce resources in recent years.
From 2012, the Japanese government has provided more than US $38 million for humanitarian interventions and collective capacity building for peace and security to the three agencies. The renewed contribution – part of a wider Japanese regional package of assistance – is a key for the combined efforts of the three agencies to ensure protection and vital support for both the refugees and the vulnerable Mauritanian host communities, and peaceful coexistence and collaboration between these populations in stronger security.
The Japanese funding will contribute to the protection of refugees, camp management and the provision of essential services such as general distributions, health services and education to avoid the “loss of a generation” in Mbera camp.
“While UNHCR and its partners continue to strengthen refugees’ self-reliance to reduce their dependency on humanitarian assistance, donors’ contributions remain vital to maintain the protection progresses achieved up to date,” UNHCR Representative in Mauritania, Mohamed Alwash.
Japan’s generous contribution will also allow WFP to provide a comprehensive package of food assistance, nutrition and livelihoods support for some 22,500 vulnerable Mauritanians living around Mbera and to continue assisting 50,000 Malian refugees in Mbera camp.
Source: Reliefweb. Read full information here.
23 May, 2017
