EU pledges additional €4 million in humanitarian aid to Mauritania for refugee support

The European Commission has announced an additional €4 million in humanitarian aid to Mauritania in 2025, aimed at supporting the country’s efforts to manage the ongoing influx of Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability. This assistance, provided through the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), is meant to help alleviate the strain on resources and support vulnerable communities.

“For years, Mauritania’s government and host communities have demonstrated remarkable solidarity in welcoming refugees. Yet ongoing insecurity in Mali continues to force families to flee, straining resources and complicating coexistence,” stated Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management.

The funds will be allocated to provide essential services, including food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, and protection services for refugees and returnees. Additionally, efforts will focus on registering displaced individuals, ensuring their safety, and offering psychosocial support to those affected by conflict and displacement.

The refugee crisis traces back to 2012 when a coup in Mali led to widespread violence, prompting thousands to seek safety in neighboring Mauritania. The country now hosts the region’s largest Malian refugee camp, sheltering approximately 242,000 people — many of whom have remained for over a decade.

Beyond the refugee situation, nearly one million people in Mauritania required humanitarian assistance last year due to a combination of displacement and extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which triggered food and nutrition crises.

Since 2007, the EU has reportedly contributed €159 million in humanitarian aid to Mauritania.