Call for Integrated Resilience Support Programme in Guidimakha (Mauritania)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a cooperating partner to implement Integrated Resilience Package activities in Guidimakha, Mauritania. The programme supports vulnerable households through food security interventions, cash assistance, agricultural support, nutrition activities, livelihood development, and community resilience initiatives.

The initiative will operate in the Moughataas of Sélibaby and Khabou and aims to strengthen sustainable food systems, adaptive social protection, smallholder agricultural markets, and long-term household resilience.

Overview of the WFP Integrated Resilience Package Programme

The World Food Programme (WFP) Integrated Resilience Package is a multi-sector programme designed to improve food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and community resilience among vulnerable populations in Guidimakha, Mauritania.

WFP is seeking a cooperating partner organization to support the implementation of integrated activities that combine:

• Food assistance
• Cash transfers
• Agricultural support
• Livelihood development
• Nutrition interventions
• Community-based resilience activities
• School meal programme monitoring

The programme focuses on creating sustainable solutions that help communities better manage food insecurity, economic shocks, climate risks, and livelihood challenges.

Programme Location

The activities will be implemented in:

• Region: Guidimakha, Mauritania
• Target areas:
  • Sélibaby Moughataa
  • Khabou Moughataa

These areas will receive integrated resilience support aimed at strengthening household income, agricultural production, and access to nutritious food.

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

The Integrated Resilience Package covers multiple areas related to food security and sustainable development.

Food Security and Food Assistance

The programme will support vulnerable households through:

• Emergency and seasonal food assistance
• Improved access to nutritious food
• Community-based food security activities
• Support for households affected by food insecurity

The goal is to reduce hunger and improve household food consumption.

Cash Assistance and Social Protection

Cash-based interventions will help vulnerable families meet essential needs while supporting local markets.

Activities include:

• Cash transfers for vulnerable households
• Cash assistance linked with asset creation activities
• Adaptive social protection approaches

Cash support enables families to purchase food, invest in livelihoods, and strengthen economic resilience.

Agricultural Inputs and Smallholder Support

The programme will strengthen local agricultural systems through:

• Distribution of agricultural inputs
• Support for small-scale farmers
• Strengthening agricultural cooperatives
• Improving access to agricultural markets

The initiative aims to increase productivity and create stronger connections between small producers and local markets.

Asset Creation Activities and Food Assistance for Assets

A major component of the programme is Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), which combines assistance with community development activities.

Supported activities may include:

• Community asset creation
• Productive infrastructure development
• Land restoration activities
• Income-generating initiatives

These activities help communities create long-term resources while receiving short-term support.

Nutrition Activities and Behaviour Change Support

The programme includes nutrition interventions designed to improve dietary practices and reduce malnutrition.

Key nutrition activities include:

Infant and Young Child Feeding Support

The programme will promote:

• Improved breastfeeding practices
• Appropriate complementary feeding
• Better nutrition practices for young children

Support for Women and Children

Activities will target:

• Malnourished children
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Vulnerable households requiring nutrition assistance

Community Nutrition Approaches

The programme will use:

• Community-based nutrition activities
• Behaviour change communication
• Nutrition education campaigns
• Promotion of nutritious food consumption

Early Warning and Early Action

The programme will strengthen community preparedness through:

• Early warning systems
• Early action planning
• Climate and food security risk monitoring

These measures help communities respond before crises become severe.

Smallholder Agricultural Market Support

The programme aims to improve local agricultural markets by supporting:

• Smallholder farmers
• Producer organizations
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Market linkages

Market support activities will help farmers increase income opportunities and improve access to buyers.

Role of the Cooperating Partner

The selected cooperating partner will support the implementation of the complete Integrated Resilience Package.

Responsibilities include:

1. Asset Creation Implementation

The partner will assist with:

• Planning community assets
• Organizing implementation activities
• Supporting community participation
• Monitoring asset creation progress

2. Support for Small Producers

The partner will work with:

• Smallholder farmers
• Agricultural groups
• Local cooperatives

Support may include agricultural production assistance and market development.

3. Nutrition Programme Implementation

The partner will support:

• Nutrition awareness activities
• Behaviour change communication
• Infant and young child feeding promotion
• Nutrition assistance activities

4. Livelihood Development

The partner will contribute to:

• Income-generating activities
• Household economic strengthening
• Sustainable livelihood opportunities

5. School Meal Activity Monitoring

The cooperating partner will support:

• Implementation monitoring
• Community engagement
• Reporting of school meal activities

Who Can Participate as a Cooperating Partner?

Eligible organizations should generally have experience in:

• Food security programmes
• Nutrition interventions
• Agricultural development
• Cash transfer programmes
• Community resilience projects
• Livelihood support
• Monitoring and evaluation

Suitable applicants may include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Community-based organizations
• Development organizations
• Humanitarian organizations with relevant operational capacity

Why This Programme Matters

Guidimakha faces challenges related to:

• Food insecurity
• Climate vulnerability
• Limited livelihood opportunities
• Agricultural production constraints
• Malnutrition risks

The Integrated Resilience Package addresses these challenges by combining humanitarian assistance with long-term development approaches.

The programme helps communities by:

• Improving food access
• Strengthening local agriculture
• Supporting household income
• Improving nutrition outcomes
• Building resilience against future shocks

How the Programme Works

The implementation approach follows an integrated model:

Step 1: Identify Vulnerable Communities

The programme identifies households and communities facing:

• Food insecurity
• Economic vulnerability
• Nutrition challenges

Step 2: Provide Immediate Support

Support includes:

• Food assistance
• Cash transfers
• Nutrition support

Step 3: Build Long-Term Resilience

Activities focus on:

• Agricultural development
• Asset creation
• Livelihood improvement
• Market support

Step 4: Monitor and Evaluate Results

Implementation partners will track:

• Household food security improvements
• Nutrition outcomes
• Agricultural progress
• Community participation
• Programme effectiveness

Common Challenges and Implementation Tips

Organizations implementing resilience programmes should consider:

1. Strong Community Engagement

Successful projects require:

• Local participation
• Community ownership
• Inclusion of vulnerable groups

2. Coordination With Local Stakeholders

Partners should coordinate with:

• Local authorities
• Farmer organizations
• Community leaders
• Other humanitarian actors

3. Effective Monitoring Systems

Organizations should maintain:

• Accurate beneficiary records
• Activity tracking systems
• Transparent reporting mechanisms

4. Sustainable Approaches

Projects should focus on:

• Long-term livelihood improvement
• Climate adaptation
• Local capacity building

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the WFP Integrated Resilience Package in Mauritania?

The Integrated Resilience Package is a WFP programme that combines food assistance, cash transfers, agricultural support, nutrition activities, and livelihood development to strengthen community resilience.

2. Where will the programme be implemented?

The programme will operate in Guidimakha region, specifically in the Moughataas of Sélibaby and Khabou, Mauritania.

3. What areas does the programme focus on?

The programme focuses on food security, agricultural inputs, cash assistance, nutrition, livelihoods, early warning systems, smallholder markets, and community resilience.

4. Who will implement the programme?

WFP is seeking a cooperating partner organization to implement and monitor Integrated Resilience Package activities.

5. What activities will the cooperating partner support?

The partner will support asset creation, agricultural producer support, nutrition activities, income-generating activities, and school meal programme monitoring.

6. How does the programme support farmers?

The programme supports farmers through agricultural inputs, cooperative strengthening, market connections, and smallholder agricultural development.

7. Why does WFP combine food assistance with livelihood activities?

Combining immediate assistance with resilience-building activities helps households meet current needs while developing long-term solutions to reduce future vulnerability.

Conclusion

The WFP Integrated Resilience Package in Guidimakha, Mauritania represents a comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and livelihood challenges. Through cooperation with local partners, the programme will strengthen sustainable food systems, support vulnerable households, improve nutrition, and build long-term community resilience.