Mauritania

MANDATE

Handicap International’s goal was to help local authorities in Mauritania destroy their stockpiles of obsolete munitions.

SITUATION

Mauritania is located in North West Africa between Morocco, Algeria, Mali and Senegal, and is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
Mauritania gained its independence in November 1960. The Mauritanian population has grown significantly over the last twenty years. Although half of the population still depends on farming and livestock breeding for their income, a growing number of nomads and small farmers have gravitated towards the country’s major towns and cities.

There were 19 munitions dumps located across Mauritania. None complied with international weapons storage standards. They posed a major threat to surrounding populations and those working on the sites every day. Four of the munitions dumps were located close to Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. An explosion in one of them could have had devastating consequences.
In partnership with the Mauritanian army, and with the support of the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Handicap International decided to help the Mauritanian government destroy these stockpiles of obsolete munitions to protect the lives of thousands of people living near the danger zones.

LAUNCH

Handicap International launched its mission in Mauritania in early April 2011 to help destroy stockpiles of obsolete munitions. These activities were completed at the end of March 2012.

TYPE OF INTERVENTION

Handicap International’s objective was to help Mauritania destroy its stockpiles of obsolete munitions.

TARGET BENEFICIARIES

• The population living within the vicinity of the munitions dumps.
• Staff working in the munitions dumps.