Geneva Water Hub in Mauritania: Field Mission to Strengthen Water Governance and Social Cohesion
From 19 October to 6 November, the Geneva Water Hub is conducting a mission in the Hodh Chargui region of Mauritania with its partners IPAR, CEROS, UNHCR, Unité Scientifique Mobile, regional authorities and local communities. The mission focuses on improving traditional water point governance and developing locally adapted technical solutions for water extraction, in order to reinforce social cohesion between host and refugee populations.
Progress So Far – Bassikounou Region
- Multicultural reality: discussions require translation into up to three local languages, highlighting the cultural richness and complexity of the region.
- Great hospitality traditions at stake: discussions enables to deepen the understanding of the outstanding local hosting mechanisms that enable local communities fleeing violence in the Sahel to have a shelter and access to water for personal and productive use.
- Strong local mobilisation: village chief actively informed communities, ensuring inclusive participation. The level of mobilisation is a sign of the awareness and concerns to explore new governance models in this quickly evolving regions.
Observations from Quentin Parent, GWH Project Manager, on the Ground
“The mobilisation has been impressive. Communities are eager to be heard and involved. The space for dialogue we are facilitating is crucial to ensure that interventions are not theoretical but grounded in daily needs and traditional knowledge. Each water point has its own governance challenges, technical features, user dynamics. This bottom-up approach is a needed step to elaborate new bridges between SDG 6 and SDG 16 in practical terms.”
Second Phase Underway – Timbedra Region
The mission has now entered its second stage in Timbedra, where the team will continue this dual approach of governance dialogues and technical assessments based on community participation and field realities.
Images from the mission show traditional wells in active use, pastoral communities gathering livestock, and dialogue sessions held under local tents – illustrating how water is deeply embedded in social life, identity, and peacebuilding.
Stay tuned – the mission is ongoing. A full report and additional field photos will be shared as findings develop, offering deeper insight into how water can be governed as a bridge for peace in fragile regions.
This mission is made possible with the support of the SDC and Ville de Genève, whose co-funding contributes to advancing peace and resilience through water diplomacy in the Sahel region.
