Deadline: 26-Jul-2026
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is supporting a partnership initiative in Mauritania to improve sustainable and inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services for refugees and host communities, especially in the Hodh Chargui region. The programme focuses on expanding water infrastructure, improving sanitation and hygiene systems, strengthening local governance, and enhancing climate-resilient WASH services. It prioritizes vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities while promoting long-term sustainability and environmental protection.
Overview of the UNHCR WASH Partnership Programme in Mauritania
The initiative by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees aims to strengthen access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services in refugee-hosting areas of Mauritania. It focuses on both refugees and host communities living under conditions of water scarcity, weak infrastructure, and climate stress.
The programme integrates:
- Water supply infrastructure development
- Sanitation and hygiene improvements
- Emergency WASH services
- Climate resilience and environmental sustainability
- Community governance and capacity building
The overall goal is to ensure equitable, safe, and sustainable WASH access for all populations.
Context: WASH Challenges in Hodh Chargui, Mauritania
The Hodh Chargui region faces severe pressure on water and sanitation systems due to:
- Prolonged refugee presence, especially in and around Mbera camp
- Limited water infrastructure and storage capacity
- Increasing population pressure on natural resources
- Water scarcity and seasonal variability
- Weak sanitation systems and hygiene gaps
- Environmental degradation affecting water availability
These challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable groups including women, children, elderly people, and persons with disabilities.
Programme Focus Areas
Water Supply Infrastructure Development
The initiative supports expansion and rehabilitation of water systems, including:
- Boreholes and wells
- Water distribution networks
- Storage tanks and reservoirs
- Solar-powered pumping systems
- Reliable and climate-resilient water supply solutions
These improvements aim to ensure consistent and safe access to water.
Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH Systems)
Key sanitation interventions include:
- Construction and rehabilitation of latrines
- Safe waste and sludge management systems
- Hygiene infrastructure in communities and camps
- Improved sanitation facilities for vulnerable groups
The goal is to reduce waterborne diseases and improve public health outcomes.
Emergency WASH Services
The programme strengthens WASH response capacity in emergencies by:
- Providing rapid water supply solutions
- Supporting temporary sanitation systems
- Ensuring continuity of services during shocks or displacement
- Enhancing preparedness for droughts and crises
Community Engagement and Hygiene Promotion
Behavioural change and awareness activities include:
- Hygiene education campaigns
- Promotion of safe sanitation practices
- Community mobilization activities
- Disease prevention awareness (especially waterborne diseases)
- Strengthening participation in WASH maintenance
These efforts improve long-term health and community ownership.
Capacity Building and Local Governance Strengthening
A major component focuses on institutional and community capacity, including:
- Training of water management committees
- Strengthening local WASH authorities and service providers
- Development of operation and maintenance systems
- Support for sector coordination and governance
- Sustainable financing mechanisms for WASH services
This ensures long-term system functionality beyond external support.
Inclusion and Equity (Age, Gender, and Diversity Approach)
The programme ensures inclusive access by:
- Designing facilities accessible to persons with disabilities
- Addressing needs of women, children, and elderly people
- Reducing inequalities between refugees and host communities
- Establishing feedback and complaint mechanisms
- Ensuring equitable service delivery in all interventions
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Environmental protection is integrated through:
- Sustainable water resource management
- Infrastructure mapping and planning
- Waste and sludge management systems
- Reduced environmental impact technologies
- Climate-resilient infrastructure design
These measures strengthen long-term ecosystem and water security.
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it addresses interconnected challenges:
- Severe water scarcity in fragile ecosystems
- Public health risks from poor sanitation
- Inequality in access to essential services
- Climate change impacts on water availability
- Pressure from displacement and population growth
It improves both humanitarian response and long-term development outcomes.
Expected Outcomes
If implemented successfully, the programme will deliver:
- Improved access to safe and reliable water supply
- Better sanitation infrastructure in refugee and host communities
- Reduced waterborne diseases and health risks
- Stronger local capacity to manage WASH systems
- More inclusive services for vulnerable groups
- Increased climate resilience of water infrastructure
- Improved environmental sustainability in water management
Implementation Approach
Step 1: Needs Assessment
Evaluate water access gaps, sanitation conditions, and vulnerable populations.
Step 2: Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Expansion
Develop boreholes, networks, storage systems, and sanitation facilities.
Step 3: Technology Integration
Introduce solar-powered pumping systems and sustainable water solutions.
Step 4: Capacity Building
Train local authorities, water committees, and service providers.
Step 5: Community Engagement
Promote hygiene awareness and strengthen community participation.
Step 6: Monitoring and Evaluation
Track service quality, accessibility, environmental impact, and system performance.
Key Challenges Addressed
- Water scarcity and unreliable supply systems
- Poor sanitation infrastructure
- High risk of waterborne diseases
- Weak local management capacity
- Inequitable access to services
- Climate vulnerability and environmental stress
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of this programme?
To improve sustainable and inclusive access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for refugees and host communities in Mauritania.
Who is implementing the initiative?
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in partnership with national and local stakeholders.
Which areas are prioritized?
Primarily the Hodh Chargui region, including refugee-hosting areas such as Mbera camp.
What types of infrastructure are included?
Boreholes, water networks, storage systems, latrines, and solar-powered water systems.
How does the programme improve health?
By improving sanitation, promoting hygiene practices, and reducing waterborne diseases.
How does it support sustainability?
Through climate-resilient infrastructure, local capacity building, and improved water resource management.
Conclusion
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees WASH partnership initiative in Mauritania strengthens access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services while promoting equity, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. By integrating infrastructure development with community engagement and governance strengthening, it improves both immediate living conditions and long-term system resilience in refugee-hosting regions.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
