In Mauritania, Terre des hommes (Tdh) has successfully developed a model of action regarding nutrition that will be adapted with a public hospital and brought into general use.


Solutions proposed by Terre des hommes

Nutrition – In Nouakchott, Tdh has set up the country’s first specialist nutrition unit for treating children suffering from chronic malnutrition. Some 250 young children are treated there every year. Management of the unit has been handed over to the State, who will now ensure that it remains viable. The Tdh project has therefore achieved its objective.

Juvenile justice – Tdh offers legal and social assistance to children in prison and their families: regular visits to detention centres, mediation services, direct legal aid, and reintegration into society and employment. Tdh also provides training for all those involved in juvenile justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.

Special medical care – Tdh cares for and arranges treatment in Europe for children from deprived backgrounds suffering from illnesses such as cardiac conditions that cannot be treated in-country.


Results achieved in 2008

Nutrition – The specialist nutrition unit was successfully integrated into Nouakchott Hospital. 251 children were treated at the unit. The quality of treatment improved, and the recovery rate for malnourished children increased.

Juvenile justice – The competencies of staff in key institutions for the reform of juvenile justice were improved. 201 people involved in justice were trained, and 651 children received social and legal assistance.

Special medical care – 41 children were transferred to Switzerland or Spain for paediatric cardiac or orthopaedic surgery.


Challenges to be taken up

Nutrition – At the hospital care unit, 20% of malnourished children arrived too late to be saved. it is crucial for the unit’s capacities to be strengthened, both in terms of staff and professional skills. Juvenile justice – Juvenile crime has reached worrying proportions in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, with offences becoming increasingly serious: physical assaults, rape of minors, incest organised gangs…. Social workers, judges and police officers should have the appropriate infrastructures and means to look after both young offenders and victims.


An example for young people in conflict with the law

Bocar, 17 years old
Bocar is fatherless. His mother, a housewife, does what she can to support her five children. The whole family live in two dilapidated shacks without water or electricity. Bocar went to the local primary school in the Arafat district of Nouakchott until he was 12. He would often run away, and for several months lived as part of a gang, where he was treated as an apprentice and ‘gofer’. In 2003, during a street brawl, he was arrested by the police and prosecuted. He ended up in prison, aged just 13.
His family sought help from Tdh who provided legal service and succeeded in getting the case dismissed. Following discussions with Bocar and his family, the educator responsible for social support managed to get the boy an apprenticeship with a local small business. After a year, the boy enrolled on a welding course at the Training and Employment Integration Centre. Three years later, he graduated top of his class. With financial support from Tdh, he then decided he set up his own workshop in Kebba d’El-Mina, Nouakchott’s biggest shantytown. At the age of 17, he is self-employed and provides for his family through the money brought in by his small business. He even employs two young apprentice welders. Bocar works with the educator to help find placements with local small businesses for other young people in conflict with the law. His motivation and success make him an example for young people who have experienced similar problems.