A small Desert Locust outbreak that began in October in central and western Mauritania continued during November in northern Brakna, eastern Trarza, south-western Adrar, and in Inchiri. Nomads also indicated that some locusts were present in the extreme north. As the vegetation becomes dry and during periods of warm southerly winds, locusts are expected to move north into northern Inchiri and Tiris-Zemmour and slowly mature, perhaps laying in areas of any rainfall. Swarms could start to form resulting in a second wave of small swarms moving northwards into northern Mauritania in January. The food situation improved in rural areas following a favourable harvest in rainfed areas in 1999.
Markets are well supplied.
However, some populations remain vulnerable, notably in some areas of Aftout and Affol , Tagant, southern Assaba and the two Hodhs.