MAURITANIA, RURAL LAND RECLAMATION PROJECT

The GOM Department of Rural Works (Genie Rural -- GR) will implement the dam construction component, while the National Hygiene Center (NCH) of the Ministry of Health will implement the schistosomiasis control component. Technical assistance and on-the-job training will be provided to GR to develop its institutional capability in establishing procedures, standards, and criteria for dam site selection and design, and in construction contract administration. Twelve GR staff members will be trained in engineering and construction standards and specifications and in contracting and contract supervision. Five additional staff members will receive 2-year participant training in repair of special maintenance equipment (both heavy machinery and repair parts). GOM will develop a national methodology for site selection and will contract with the local community to ensure maintenance of the dams. Up to 10 dams will be built under local contract (instead of through a force account). These new dams will increase recessional agriculture by opening up 800 new ha of land for agricultural production and will benefit 1,300 rural farming families. A.I.D. will provide a small core unit of special equipment to GR and will instruct local villagers in basic maintenance techniques. Health interventions will be aimed at reducing malnutrition and the incidence of malaria, schistosomiasis, and dracunculiasis. Two NCH professionals will receive short-term participant training in water-borne disease control methods prior to construction of the dams. Once trained, they will make seasonal visits to project sites to carry out vector studies; conduct schistosomiasis prevalence studies; carry out chemotherapeutic treatments of patients with the assistance of medical personnel; and develop a local health education program to inform the population about, and encourage their participation in, schistosomiasis surveillance methods, control, and treatment.