- Africa
Mauritania
Fighting against malnutrition and for juvenile justice
Active in Mauritania since 1984, Terre des hommes (Tdh) runs projects dealing with nutrition, juvenile justice and a program for special medical treatments. In 2011, more than 37,000 people benefited from Tdh’s activities.
In Mauritania, Terre des hommes (Tdh) has successfully standardized its methods to combat poor nutrition and malnutrition and is working with a public hospital. The new standards are to be adopted by all Tdh nutrition units.
Health and 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, which will now ensure that it remains viable. The Tdh project has therefore achieved its objective.
Restorative juvenile justice
Tdh offers legal and social assistance to children in prison and their families with regular visits to detention centres, mediation services, direct legal aid, and reintegration into society and employment. In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Tdh also provides training for all those involved in juvenile 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 their own country.
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-17.033644
20.93712
Nouadhibou
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-15.980015
18.094721
Nouakchott
Centered at -10.940835 21.789 5
Places of intervention : Nouadhibou , Nouakchott
Projects : Fighting malnutrition, Juvenile justice, Specialized medical care
In joint cooperation with : Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, National Hospital, Medical Examiner, Ministry of Justice, Unicef, Brigade des Mineurs, Caritas Centre
Delegate : Marie-Jeanne Hautbois
Expatriate staff : 1
National staff : 20
Budget : 532'969 CHF
Gallery
Latest News
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13 Apr 2012
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Humanitarian crises, Health and nutrition Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Senegal
SAHEL FOOD CRISES – Interventions by Terre des hommes
For the third time in a decade, the Sahel region is suffering from a serious food crisis. 13 million people, 3 million of them children, are again threatened by food shortages in the countries where Terre des hommes works: Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Senegal. Read more
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26 Jul 2010
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Specialised care Switzerland, Togo, Mauritania, Benin and Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Guinea
Special medical treatments: The annual report 2009
The annual and financial report 2009 of the programme for special medical treatments is available here! Follow the journey of the children who came to Switzerland for special medical treatments and learn more about the results of our actions! Read more
Side Notes
Children’s situation
- 40% of the population in Mauritania is under age 15
- The country has the highest maternal mortality rate in West Africa.
Results 2011
Thirty-nine seriously ill children were able to be evacuated abroad for treatment. They received assistance when they returned to their families to ensure positive socio-educational reintegration. In the area of health and nutrition, the support for the healthcare facilities in El Mina enabled 20,332 young children to benefit from aid that included consultation services, vaccinations, growth charting and health education for mothers. The protection project assisted 3,937 vulnerable children who were in conflict with the law, victims of criminal offences or exploited by employers. A total of 832 workers from government services and from civic society were trained to implement a new national strategy for the protection of children. In the same context, 3,853 families participated in community discussions to raise awareness for children’s rights.
Testimonial
Bocar has lost his father. His mother, a maid, does her best to provide for her five children. The whole family lives in two dilapidated shacks without water or electricity.
- Bocar, Tdh beneficiary in Mauritania







Headquarters
Terre des hommes