Project 1 for Mauritania
MARINE FOUNDATION MAURITANIA
Project 1 – MARINE FOUNDATION MAURITANIA
Integrated Flood Protection & Coastal Resilience Program
1. Executive Overview
Mauritania faces increasing flood risks due to climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme rainfall affecting coastal zones and river basins, particularly along the Senegal River and inland Sahel regions. These floods threaten lives, infrastructure, food security, and long-term economic stability.
The Marine Foundation Mauritania Rapid Flood Shield Program is a scalable, cost-effective, and community-driven solution designed to protect vulnerable populations while strengthening marine ecosystems, inland water management, and local capacity.
This program integrates nature-based defenses, low-cost engineering, smart technology, and community empowerment to deliver immediate protection and long-term resilience.
2. Strategic Objectives
– Protect coastal and riverine communities from seasonal and extreme flooding
– Restore and strengthen marine and river ecosystems
– Reduce downstream flood intensity by up to 40%
– Build local employment, skills, and stewardship
– Establish Mauritania as a regional model for integrated flood resilience
3. Project Components
A. Coastal Mangrove Restoration Program
“Living Barriers for a Living Coast”
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Replant 500 hectares of mangroves along the Senegal River mouth and coastal zones near Nouakchott
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Utilize local mangrove species and community nurseries to minimize costs and maximize survival
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Mangroves act as:
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Natural wave breakers
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Rainwater absorbers
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Sediment stabilizers
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Nurseries for fish and marine biodiversity
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Community Integration
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Partner with local fishers and coastal families for planting and maintenance
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Create sustainable livelihoods through ecosystem stewardship
Long-Term Impact
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Reduced coastal erosion
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Improved fisheries
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Carbon capture and climate mitigation
B. Elevated Barrier & Dike Network
“Fast Defense for High-Risk Zones”
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Construct three-meter-high protective dikes in flood-prone hotspots such as Kaédi and Rosso
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Coverage: 5 kilometers of priority zones
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Materials:
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Sand-cement composite (low cost, locally sourced, reusable)
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Include sluice gates to allow controlled drainage and prevent water accumulation
Implementation Timeline
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Completion target: 6 months
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Workforce:
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Locally recruited and trained under Marine Foundation supervision
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Added Value
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Immediate flood risk reduction
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Creation of a trained local civil-resilience workforce
C. Inland Water Retention Ponds (Sahel Zone)
“Holding Water Where It Falls”
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Excavation of 10 large retention basins in inland flood-feeding zones
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Each basin:
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Approx. 20 acres
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Clay-lined to prevent leakage
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Surrounded by native grasses to stop erosion
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Function
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Capture excess runoff during heavy rains
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Release water slowly over time
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Reduce downstream flooding by up to 40%
Dual Use
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Emergency flood control during rainy season
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Water reserves for livestock and agriculture during dry months
D. Smart Flood Early-Warning & Monitoring System
“Technology That Saves Lives”
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Install solar-powered rainfall and river-level sensors in key river systems
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Real-time data feeds into:
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SMS alerts for 50,000+ villagers
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Marine Foundation’s centralized monitoring dashboard
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Features
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Early evacuation warnings
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Predictive flood modeling
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Data-driven decision making for authorities and relief teams
Estimated Cost
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Under USD 50,000
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High impact, low maintenance
E. Community Engagement & Resilience Training
“Protection Begins with People”
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Conduct workshops in affected towns and villages on:
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Flood-resistant farming techniques
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Elevated housing solutions (stilts, raised foundations)
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Emergency preparedness
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Micro-Grant Program
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Marine Foundation funds small grants for:
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Home elevation
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Agricultural adaptation
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Local flood-resilient innovations
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Outcome
- Strong community ownership
- Reduced long-term dependency on emergency aid
4. Budget & Scalability
- Total Estimated Budget: USD 2–3 million
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Modular design allows:
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Phased implementation
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Expansion to additional regions
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Replication in neighboring Sahel and West African nations
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5. Strategic Impact
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Protection of tens of thousands of lives
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Preservation of marine and river ecosystems
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Strengthened food security and fisheries
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Job creation and skill development
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Positioning Marine Foundation Mauritania as a continental leader in climate resilience systems
Conclusion
The Rapid Flood Shield Program reflects the Marine Foundation’s core philosophy:
integrating humanitarian protection, environmental intelligence, and sustainable system design.
This initiative is not merely flood control—it is a national resilience architecture built with the people, for the future.
PDF - Project 1 - Mauritania - Integrated Flood Protection and Coastal Resilience Program
IMPORTANT CONCEPT NOTE READ HERE - click here
CONCEPT NOTE
Integrated Flood Protection and Coastal Resilience Program
Republic of Mauritania
1. Background and Rationale
The Republic of Mauritania is increasingly exposed to flood-related risks due to climate variability, rising sea levels, extreme rainfall events, and pressure on coastal and riverine ecosystems. Flooding in coastal areas and along the Senegal River basin has resulted in repeated loss of life, damage to infrastructure, agricultural disruption, and displacement of vulnerable populations.
Urban centers such as Nouakchott, Kaédi, and Rosso, as well as inland Sahelian zones, are particularly affected by seasonal flooding and insufficient water retention capacity. These challenges are expected to intensify in the coming years, requiring immediate, coordinated, and sustainable interventions.
In response, the Marine Foundation Mauritania, aligned with national development priorities and climate adaptation frameworks, proposes an Integrated Flood Protection and Coastal Resilience Program to deliver rapid protection, ecosystem restoration, and long-term resilience through a combination of nature-based solutions, low-cost infrastructure, intelligent monitoring systems, and community engagement.
2. Objectives
Overall Objective
To reduce flood-related risks to lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems in vulnerable coastal, riverine, and inland areas of Mauritania through an integrated and scalable resilience approach.
Specific Objectives
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Strengthen coastal and riverbank protection using ecosystem-based and engineered solutions
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Reduce downstream flooding intensity and duration
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Improve early warning and flood preparedness capacities
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Enhance community resilience and adaptive livelihoods
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Support national climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies
3. Geographic Scope
The proposed program will focus on high-risk zones, including but not limited to:
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Coastal and river mouth areas near Nouakchott
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Senegal River basin zones, particularly Kaédi and Rosso
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Selected inland Sahelian catchment areas contributing to flood runoff
Site selection will be finalized in coordination with relevant government authorities and technical agencies.
4. Program Components
Component 1: Coastal and Riverine Ecosystem Restoration
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Restoration of approximately 500 hectares of mangroves and riparian vegetation along the Senegal River mouth and adjacent coastal zones
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Use of locally adapted species and community-based nurseries
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Engagement of fishing communities in restoration and maintenance activities
Expected Results:
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Reduced coastal erosion and wave impact
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Improved sediment stabilization and water absorption
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Enhanced marine biodiversity and fisheries productivity
Component 2: Flood Protection Infrastructure
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Construction of approximately three-meter-high protective dikes in identified flood-prone urban and peri-urban zones
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Use of cost-effective, locally sourced sand-cement materials
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Installation of sluice gates to enable controlled water discharge
Expected Results:
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Immediate reduction of flood exposure in high-risk areas
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Improved drainage and floodwater management
Component 3: Inland Water Retention and Runoff Management
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Development of 10 inland water retention basins in the upstream and Sahelian catchment areas
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Each basin is designed to capture seasonal runoff and release water gradually
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Stabilization of basin surroundings using native vegetation
Expected Results:
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Reduction of downstream flood peaks (estimated up to 40%)
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Improved water availability for agriculture and livestock during dry periods
Component 4: Flood Early Warning and Monitoring System
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Deployment of solar-powered rainfall and river-level sensors at strategic monitoring points
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Integration of data into a centralized monitoring platform
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Dissemination of early warning alerts via SMS to at-risk populations and local authorities
Expected Results:
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Improved preparedness and response time
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Reduced loss of life and property
Component 5: Community Resilience and Capacity Building
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Community workshops on flood-resilient agriculture, housing, and preparedness
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Provision of micro-grants to support local adaptation initiatives
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Engagement of local labor and training programs during implementation
Expected Results:
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Increased community ownership and sustainability
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Strengthened local adaptive capacities
5. Implementation Arrangements
Marine Foundation Mauritania will implement the program in close coordination with:
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Relevant ministries (Environment, Water, Infrastructure, Interior, Fisheries)
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Regional and local authorities
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National disaster management agencies
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Community organizations and traditional leadership structures
Technical oversight, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms will be established in accordance with government and partner requirements.
6. Estimated Budget and Financing
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Estimated Total Cost: USD 2–3 million
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Financing modalities may include:
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Government allocations
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Development finance institutions
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Climate adaptation and resilience funds
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Public–private partnerships
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The program is modular and scalable, allowing phased financing and implementation.
7. Expected Impact
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Reduced flood-related losses and displacement
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Enhanced protection of critical infrastructure and livelihoods
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Improved ecosystem health and climate resilience
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Strengthened national capacity for flood risk management
8. Sustainability and Replicability
The program emphasizes:
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Use of local materials and labor
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Community-based maintenance models
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Nature-based solutions with long-term environmental benefits
The approach is designed to be replicable in other regions of Mauritania and across the Sahel.
9. Conclusion
This Integrated Flood Protection and Coastal Resilience Program offers a practical, cost-effective, and nationally aligned response to Mauritania’s growing flood risks. By combining ecosystem restoration, infrastructure protection, technology, and community engagement, the program supports the Government of Mauritania’s commitment to sustainable development, climate adaptation, and the protection of its citizens.















