World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

A Malian family arrives at a refugee settlement in Fassala in the region of Hodh Cargui in eastern Mauritania. Almost 13,000 Malians have taken refuge in Mauritania, fleeing the Tuareg conflict. This figure is expected to rise significantly over the coming weeks. WFP has launched a 3 month emergency operation to provide much-needed food assistance. 

A government warehouse in eastern Mauritania, where WFP will likely store food for the drought-response and Malian refugees emergency operations. A total of 1,193 metric tons of food commodities will be needed for the refugee emergency operation alone. The daily food ration includes cereals, pulses, supercereal (a fortified flour mix), vegetable oil, sugar and salt. At the beginning of the operation, an additional ration of high energy biscuits (HEB) will be distributed. 

WFP Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping Officer Malick Ndiaye (left with glasses) talks to representatives of the refugee community to better understand their situation, including how their food consumption patterns have changed after the move. Back in Mali, most of the refugees were eating three meals a day and their diets included meat, vegetables and milk in addition to cereals. In the camps, most just eat rice with oil once or twice a day. For those who can afford it, some eat this basic meal with a little bit of meat. The man in the center, a teacher at home in Mali, is translating the conversation.

WFP works closely alongside other humanitarian organizations to provide adequate support to the refugees. Here, representatives from UNHCR, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the refugee community meet to discuss the needs. 

Refugees register upon arrival. Some families have traveled from Mali in 4x4 vehicles, such as the one pictured here, costing about US$ 500 to rent for the trip. 

 Refugees build their homes with the materials at hand - blankets and pieces of wood. 

A home in the process of being constructed. 

 Costs are high in the camp. This firewood, used to cook food, costs around US$ 10 a bundle.

A makeshift shop selling milk, sugar, oil and tea. 

WFP and UNICEF work together to assess malnutrition levels in the camps. Here, the mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) of a young child is being measured to check for wasting - low weight to height ratio.