FROM THE FIELD

Nomadic families receive LWR quilts and kits

Mauritania is a desert nation in the northwest of Africa – two-thirds of its land is the Sahara desert, with less than one percent considered to be arable. Each year brings further desertification as sand dunes push a bit farther to the west. Lutheran World Relief's partner in Mauritania, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), works to help Mauritanians protect themselves from the risks inherent in desert living. One of LWF's primary activities in Mauritania includes planting different varieties of acacia trees around cities and villages to divert the winds that bring the sand.

Like Lutheran World Relief, LWF is committed to long-term sustainable development and promotion of sustainable economic livelihoods. Sometimes, however, there is a greater need for immediate material assistance. Lutheran World Relief kits, clothing and quilts are vital to LWF's operations in Mauritania.

Half of Mauritanians depend on livestock and agriculture to make a living, even though the droughts of recent decades have sent many into the cities looking for work. Among Mauritania's most vulnerable populations are these families that live a nomadic lifestyle, practicing very limited subsistence farming on the side. Mauritania receives little rainfall annually – often not enough to meet the needs of these farmers who are already at risk.

LWF is actively involved in projects throughout Mauritania, both in emergency response to natural disasters and non-emergency distributions to populations its field staff have identified as most at risk. Local representatives distribute kits cooperatively with LWF field staff in response to requests by the local populations. The most impoverished receive priority in distribution, particularly those who have no other forms of support from family, community, or other humanitarian organizations.

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