Mauritania is a Sahelian country that has long been affected by desertification and drought. The Sahel is one of the regions most impacted by climate change, with a projected temperature rise of 3ºC compared to the global average of 1.5ºC by 2050. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions associated with climate change have recently contributed to crop degradation and soil erosion in the south of the country and the oasis areas. Rural households living there are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their livelihoods. The prolonged presence of refugees in Mbera camp in Hodh Chargui has also increased pressure on local sources of water, fuelwood and grazing land, creating potential sources of tension between refugees and host communities.

The Mauritanian Government, as well as humanitarian and development actors, have made environmental preservation and regeneration a central element of their strategies and initiatives. Mauritania has in fact developed a National Strategy for the Environment and Sustainable Development. The refugee-hosting region of Hodh Chargui has in turn aligned its Regional Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP/SCRAPP) with this national environmental strategy, with the 2030 objective being to slow down environmental degradation and reverse trends so that sound natural resources management underpins green and inclusive growth. In complementarity with the Government, the United Nations is working to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, communities and national systems in Hodh Chargui.

Preserving and restoring natural resources

Reforestation : Since 2016, UNHCR and its partners SOS Desert and RET-Germany have planted thousands of trees inside and outside Mbera refugee camp thanks to the support of volunteers from host and refugee communities who are at the heart of this initiative. The significant impact of the support of the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in this area was evident between 2021 and 2022, when enough resources were available for UNHCR to accelerate reforestation efforts and experiment with different techniques. In doing so, UNHCR deliberately involved local associations of women and youth.

Preventing and managing bushfires: Established in 2018 by refugee volunteers with support from UNHCR, a local NGO and local authorities, the Mbera Fire Brigade has worked side by side with host communities to prevent and fight bushfires in and around the Mbera refugee camp. Since 2018, more than 125 fires have been extinguished by the brigade. At the same time, firebreaks stretching 800 kilometers have been built. Education campaigns have also been conducted to prevent bushfires.

Providing clean and renewable energy

Access to clean and reliable energy for cooking: In 2022, UNHCR initiated several pilot projects in partnership with GIZ and UNDP to encourage households to produce biogas locally by recovering sludge and to use environmentally friendly cooking solutions that do not present health risks.

Electrification via renewable energy: Under the World Bank’s financing mechanism for refugees and host communities (IDA-18 sub-window), the Mauritanian Government – in close collaboration with UNHCR – is developing a plan for the electrification of Mbera camp and surrounding areas with the construction of a hybrid diesel-solar power plant by 2026. To minimize its impact on the environment and reduce the cost of electricity in the camp, UNHCR is also solarizing its offices and targeted community structures.

Promotion of green jobs

UNHCR, GIZ and ILO offer refugees and host communities training and entrepreneurship coaching on clean energy and environmental restoration both in Mbera camp and in neighbouring villages.