Nouakchott – The Mauritanian government along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children and UNICEF, inaugurated on 4 August the recently rehabilitated Centres for the Social Protection and Integration of Children (CPISE) of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

The CPISEs will provide shelter and protection to children in vulnerable situations, including unaccompanied and separated migrant children. These centres are the only governmental structures empowered and mandated to receive these children.  

Protection partners, including IOM, provided technical support to develop a centre management protocol adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization also launched a virtual training program on COVID-19 prevention measures and childcare for 50 social workers and donated computer equipment to the CPISEs across the country; three in Nouakchott, one in Nouadhibou, one in Kiffa, one in Aleg and one in Rosso. This equipment will facilitate the effective adaptation of the centres to the new measures and working environment imposed by COVID-19.

"The reopening of these centres is great news because, despite the current difficulties in providing protection to vulnerable children, it shows the efforts to include vulnerable people, including migrants in the COVID-19 national response. This should also foster referrals and request for assistance,” said Laura Lungarotti, IOM Chief of Mission in Mauritania.

Over the past months, IOM has been working closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and Family, and in cooperation with UNICEF and Save the Children, to provide trainings on child protection and the ‘best interests of the child’. The Organization also identified the needs of the centres to put in place appropriate preventive measures against COVID-19. Hygienic materials and equipment have been distributed to the centres to protect children and social workers from the virus.

“The improvement of the technical skills and reception capacities of the centers through rehabilitation, equipment as well as the training of social workers will strengthen the immediate care for migrant, unaccompanied or separated vulnerable children”, said Her Excellency Dr. Nene Kane, Minister of Social Affairs, Children and Family.

"Our functions include the support of social workers in the CPISE centers by training them and encouraging them to continue to carry out the tasks assigned to them by the CPISE general management," explained Laura Sisniega, IOM Protection Officer. "It is necessary to bear in mind that in all stages of care relating to children, the child’s best interests must be a primary consideration", she added.

The health crisis linked to COVID-19 triggered a socio-economic crisis in Mauritania and the countries in West and Central Africa, particularly affecting populations who are already in vulnerable situations, unaccompanied and separate migrant children who are often in situations of exploitation or abuse and living on the streets or in difficult conditions in the mahadras (Koranic schools). This also includes children living with their families whose situation has deteriorated with the pandemic, exposing them to violence, social exclusion, dropping out of school or forced labor, among others.

“Children who grow up in a peaceful environment where freedom, solidarity and protection are magnified will in turn continue to promote these values”, said His Excellency Michael J. Dodman, United States Ambassador in Mauritania. “They thereby contribute to a continuous chain of respect and awareness for a world where children will be happier and migrants will feel protected, valued and respected”.

These activities were made possible with the support of the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).

For more information, please contact IOM Mauritania: Momme Ducros, Email: mducros@iom.int, or Laura Sisniega, Email: lsisniega@iom.int.