Mauritania Faces Growing Refugee Pressure as Mali Insecurity Drives 305,000 into Hodh Chargui

Mauritania is now hosting roughly 305,000 refugees and asylum‑seekers from Mali, with 189,881 registered nationally and 177,542 in the southeastern Hodh Chargui region. The surge follows continued insecurity in central and northern Mali, pushing displaced people into border communities. Most refugees live in over 70 host villages and Mbera Camp, straining local infrastructure, water, pasture and health services. Women, children and vulnerable groups face heightened protection risks and psychosocial distress. The Mauritanian Red Crescent, backed by the IFRC, delivers shelter, cash assistance, WASH, health and protection services, but funding gaps and supply‑chain issues hamper timely delivery. Climate shocks add further pressure, underscoring the need for coordinated humanitarian action.