UNHCR Receives $5 Million Contribution from U.S. Government to Support Resilience of Refugees and Host Communities in Eastern Basin

H.E. Elizabeth Esther, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mauritania, and H.E. Cynthia Kircht, Ambassador of the United States of America to Mauritania, announced that UNHCR has received a US$5 million contribution from the U.S. government through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to the Emergency Plan for Refugees and Host Populations in Hodh Al Sharqi.

The announcement was made during a meeting held Tuesday morning at the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nouakchott, which was also marked by the briefing of the US ambassador on the situation of Malian refugees in the eastern basin through a short documentary film that touched on various aspects of the shelter conditions provided by Mauritania and its partners to Malian refugees in Hodh Chergui province.

This contribution will enable UNHCR to strengthen the response of UNHCR to the needs of Malian refugees and host populations in Hodh Al Sharqi.

Speaking on the occasion, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mauritania explained that this assistance will contribute to supporting initiatives aimed at improving basic services, livelihood programs, vocational training and community infrastructure development.

These efforts will strengthen the resilience of both refugees and host communities, thereby enhancing social cohesion and preventing conflicts related to access to natural resources in Hodh Al Sharqi.

This assistance will form part of the emergency plan and the UN vision for the Eastern Basin region, she said, noting that UNHCR is working closely with other humanitarian actors, government agencies and local authorities to ensure a coordinated and effective response, which is being strengthened today through the generous contribution of the Government of the United States of America.

She added that this contribution will support UNHCR’s efforts to enable refugees and host populations to survive for a longer period, thanking Mauritania for hosting Malian refugees and sharing with them like other residents all social services in host areas.