Crisis (IPC Phase 3) persists in the southeast due to the influx of refugees

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As the lean season progresses, an increasing number of poor households are facing a situation of Crisis (IPC Phase 3) in rainfed and agro-pastoral areas, though most regions remain in Stressed (IPC Phase 2). Poor households have depleted their own food stocks and are heavily dependent on markets for food, with some relying on in-kind payments of food for their labor. Poor households are also increasingly dependent on income from pastoral and agricultural work. Hodh el Chargui Wilaya remains in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) due to the presence of refugees and their heavy pressure on the natural resources and livelihoods of the host populations.
After the sharp rise in staple food prices in the run-up to the Tabaski holiday in mid-June, prices of staple foods have generally stabilized, although there are some exceptions. At the Nouakchott market, for example, the price for 20 liters of oil, previously fluctuating around MRU 1,300, is currently at 1,150 MRU. By contrast, on the same market, the price of local rice has remained stable compared with June. The price of wheat has continued to rise, with a 50 kg sack now trading at around 900 MRU, following an increase of around 100 MRU. Prices of imported foods generally remained stable in July compared to June, except for regionally imported cereals, such as millet, sorghum and maize originating from Senegal and Mali, which rose sharply, by as much as 10 MRU per kg of millet or sorghum, and over 12.5 MRU per kg for maize.
Sheep prices, although down after Tabaski, are still well above those for the same period in 2023. At the Nouakchott market, the price of the average sheep, which had reached 7,000 MRU in the run-up to the holiday, fell back to 5,500 MRU in July. This is still 38 to 45 percent higher than in the same period in 2023, when it fluctuated between 3,800 and 4,000 MRU. While prices for large ruminants (cattle and camels) remained stable compared with last month, they were also well above those for the same period in 2023.
The restrictions on transhumance to Mali due to insecurity has precipitated the deterioration of grazing in host areas in Mauritania. This has forced some livestock breeders, mainly those with large ruminants, to resort to the purchase of animal feed for their livestock. The rainfed and agropastoral zones recorded some rains in July, which has improved pasture conditions and thus improved the pastoral situation for small ruminants. However, pasture rejuvenation is still too early to improve overall conditions of large ruminants. For the time being, the return of transhumants to their homelands remains timid.
In many regions, the onset of rains is around 10 days late, particularly in central and southern areas. Although the July rains improved the situation slightly, cumulative rainfall remains below average due to the late start. According to updated rainfall forecasts, average to below-average rainfall is now expected in most agricultural areas of Mauritania.

Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Mauritania Key Message Update July 2024 - January 2025: Crisis (IPC Phase 3) persists in the southeast due to the influx of refugees, 2024.

This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.