Economic activities are anticipated to resume after the lifting of restrictive measures

The COVID-19 pandemic persists in the country with a cumulative 6,249 positive cases as of July 27, including 156 deaths and 1,410 active cases. However, in order to allow the resumption of economic and agro-pastoral activities, and the harvest of dates, authorities decided 10 to lift the curfew, the resumption of interurban transport and domestic flights starting July 10th. However, people are encouraged to respect barrier measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing with soap and water.

The rains began one or two dekads early in the south of the country. During the second dekad of July, flooding was recorded in the wilayas of Hodh El Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Trarza and Guidimaka, resulting in the destruction of road infrastructure and homes. The ongoing regeneration of pastures and the relaxation of restrictive measures favor the gradual return movements of transhumant herders to their localities of origin. These returns, which usually take place between July and September, while reducing the pressure on resources in the wilayas of Gorgol and Guidimaka, improve milk availability for the benefit of home households. The resumption of interurban traffic also allows seasonal workers to reach irrigated areas. It will also promote the picking and marketing of dates (called the Gueitna season), the production of which is considered average in the wilaya of Adrar. The lifting of movement restrictions, favorable rainfall conditions and government support in inputs and seeds will promote average pastoral and agricultural production in the country.

Cash transfers targeting 196,293 families is ongoing for its second month, according to the implementation committee. This assistance strengthens household food access and mitigates worse outcomes. As a result, poor households in the rainfed agricultural zone (MR 09) will experience Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) food insecurity until the harvests in September. In-kind distributions from previous months also contribute to stabilizing prices and reducing demand in markets. However, the price of fresh fish increased by 22 and 11 percent in the urban centers of Nouakchott and Nioudhibou, respectively. As artisanal fishing resumes, the supply of fish on the market is expected to increase, and reduce prices. In rural areas, the regeneration of pastures and the sale of supplementary animal feed at subsidized prices are contributing to an average 28 percent drop in rakhal prices compared to last year. Additionally, the agreements established with the government of Senegal to facilitate the trade in livestock in anticipation of Tabaski are helping to stabilize the price of livestock, particularly sheep, on the markets of Abdel-Bagrou (Hodh el Chargui) or increase prices, such as in Selibabi where prices have increased by 18 percent compared to July 2019.