Appeal

Mauritania

Assistance to drought affected communities - AFMR71

Appeal Target: US$ 165,062

Geneva, 28 August 2007

Mauritania has undergone several natural disasters since the 1970s including recurrent droughts, floods, freezing rain and locust invasions. The 2006 rainy season was very short (starting late and ending early) and caused considerable harvest shortfalls in some regions. The most affected are the south-eastern regions of Hodh El Charghi and Hodh El Gharbi, in which main source of income is the agro-pastoral production.

A joint survey done by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) reports a sharp decline in the nutritional wellbeing of children. On May 31, 2007, the Mauritanian government issued a plan to respond to the emergency in the Aftout zone and the municipalities bordering Mali. On June 27, 2007, the National Commission in charge of Social Protection and Food Security launched an assistance program targeting 33 out of 216 municipalities and supplied 4000 metric tons of assorted food, wheat, milk powder, cooking oil and dates. The World Food Program (WFP) also provided 5000 metric tons of assorted food through its Prolonged Intervention for Assistance and Recovery program (IPSR).

Despite this assistance, several areas have not been covered and are lacking food security. ACT member, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which operates in the regions of Hodh El Gharbi and Hodh El Charghi with two local partners, has identified crucial shortfalls as only one municipality in each of the regions has benefited from official food assistance.

Through support to this appeal, LWF will assist communities in the regions that have not received support from the government or other aid agencies. Short-term assistance will include the establishing of Community Feeding Centers and distribution of seeds. Medium-term interventions will focus on the provision of a mill, rehabilitation of water points and strengthening agriculture and food gardening, as well as workshops on environmental protection.

Project Completion Date: 30 June 2008

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FOR THE FULL TEXT OF THE APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. _________________________________________________________________________________

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Total Appeal Target(s): 165,062

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 165,062

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer Michael Zschiegner (mzs@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.