Attachments
In Numbers
92.682 mt of specialized food assistance distributed
USD 571,758 cash-based transfers made
USD 21.6 six months (September 2020-February 2021) net funding requirements
199,187 people assisted in August 2020
Operational Updates
• In response to the COVID-19 national response plan, WFP contributes to the food security component through the scale-up of its lean season food assistance intervention, which is expected to reach 168,136 vulnerable people with cash transfers, covering the months of August and September 2020. The Tagant and Guidimakha regions and resilience sites are receiving the last round of food assistance, while the Assaba, Gorgol Hod El Chargui and two communes of Guidimakha (Tachot and Gouraye) are receiving the first round of food assistance. A total of USD 3,887,852 is planned to be distributed through cash-based transfers.
• In Mbera refugee camp, regarding the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), 559 children aged 6-59 months received 1.677 mt of specialised nutritious food, and 201 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) received 1.206 mt of Super Cereals. Further to the treatment received over the past months, 189 children and 12 PLW were cured in August. Between 13 and 14 August, distributions for the prevention of acute malnutrition took place at the same time as an information and awarenessraising campaign on nutrition-related messaging for men and women on infant and young child feeding, care, and hygiene practices and gender equality organised by the local partner ADICOR. A total of 1,477 children aged 6–23 months and 659 PLW were reached and received 12.765 mt of Super Cereals Plus.
All barrier measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including hand washing, disinfection of the centres, awareness raising, were respected during the nutrition activities.
• Nutrition activities for MAM treatment reached 21,256 children and PLW in Assaba, Gorgol, Guidimakha, Hod El Chargui and Tagant regions. The beneficiaries received 34.548 mt of specialised nutritious food and 17.244 mt of Super Cereal Plus. An implementation monitoring mission took place in Assaba,
Guidimakha, Gorgol and Tagant, and recommendations for adjusting and improving the functioning of treatment centres were made. In the 187 malnutrition treatment centres in Nouakchott, 5,744 children and 954 PLW received treatment, of which 18.87 mt of specialised nutritious food and 6.372 mt of Super Cereals Plus.
• Further to the closure of schools in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their reopening planned for September 2020, WFP carried out preparatory activities for the resuming of school feeding activities in August. Food items were transferred to the regional warehouses simultaneously with hygiene products to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With a view to harmonize school feeding management tools and practices in accordance with barrier measures, communication tools were prepared in coordination with implementing partners. An agreement on the monitoring of the implementation of the activity was also signed with the Ministry of Education.
• WFP, FAO and UN Resident Coordinator are in the process of signing a peacebuilding project financed by the UNSDG fund for USD 1.5 million. This project aims at consolidating peace through improved food security and climate adaptation.
• Regarding food assistance for asset (FFA) activities, in order to continue agricultural work during the lean season, the communities were provided with tools and equipment for the maintenance and development of the assets they created during the dry season. Moreover, WFP facilitated an external evaluation mission on the impact of resilience activities on nutrition in the regions of Assaba, Guidimakha and Hod El Chargui. The mission was led by Action contre la faim (ACF) and WFP regional bureau.
Key results are expected in September.
• Following the reactivation of the Technical Working Group responsible for setting up the Preparedness & Response Scheme for Food Security and Nutrition, draft decrees of the scheme are undergoing a technical review. WFP is supporting the Government so that the texts can be validated by the end of the year and dedicated entities are gradually put in place during 2021.
• As part of WFP’s provision of logistics services to the Government under the COVID-19 national response plan, WFP ensured the reception of intensive care beds and laboratory equipment purchased as part of the Renforcement du système regional de surveillance des maladies (REDISSE) project funded by the World Bank, as well as 15,000 COVID-19 tests and a refrigerator donated by Germany.