Africa Newsroom, Nouakchott — Mauritania’s refugee population has risen above 300,000 after roughly 50,000 Malian refugees crossed the border in 2025, according to UNHCR.
The southeastern Hodh Chargui region alone hosts over 290,000 Malians, including about 120,000 in Mbera Camp and more than 170,000 spread across upwards of 70 neighbouring villages.
In January, UNHCR and 14 partner agencies launched a Refugee Response and Resilience Plan aimed at addressing the growing needs.
Along the Atlantic coast, Mauritanian authorities disembarked or intercepted over 4,500 people in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou during 2025, marking a 38 percent decline from the previous year.
Meanwhile, 16,800 individuals reached Spain’s Canary Islands in 2025, down 60 percent compared with 2024.
Source: reliefweb
