A country in northwestern Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and located in the Sahel zone. More than 80% of Mauritania’s territory is covered by the sands of the Sahara. It is the fourth most climate-vulnerable country in the world. Recurring cycles of prolonged drought (leading to the degradation of natural resources) and a deepening water deficit have created a severe food insecurity crisis. Although it is home to about 5.2 million people, Mauritania is a textbook example of hunger caused by poverty and insufficient local food production.

Overview:

• one of the poorest countries in the world – about 5.8% of the population live on less than 2.15 USD per day
• domestic cereal production covers only about 24% of the national food demand (around 76% of food is imported)
• around 25% of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting)
• 61% of the population experience moderate or severe food insecurity, and about 12% are in a food crisis (IPC phase 3+)