Interview with Ahmed Sedig, president of the Nouadhibou NGO Network (RONG), HAMAP-Humanitaire’s local partner in Mauritania

Ahmed Sedig is the president of the Nouadhibou NGO Network (RONG). In this interview he talks to us about working with HAMAP-Humanitaire.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us about the Nouadhibou NGO Network (RONG): what does it do?

I am Ahmed Sedig, president of RONG. The Nouadhibou NGO Network was set up in 2002 and brings together some fifty active NGOs. It works in Nouadhibou across several fields such as human rights, health, education and the fight against poverty. HAMAP-Humanitaire is its first foreign partner.

How did the collaboration with HAMAP-Humanitaire come about?

Historically, HAMAP-Humanitaire began its work in Mauritania in the mine action sector. In 2011, RONG was involved in mine risk awareness and education activities. On the strength of that good collaboration, and given the needs in terms of access to sanitation, HAMAP-Humanitaire and RONG ran a project in 2019 to refurbish and build sanitation facilities in eight schools in the town. Today RONG is happy to be working with HAMAP-Humanitaire again on a new sanitation project, this time covering the town's secondary schools.

What are the benefits of working with HAMAP on this project?

Following the good results of the previous projects, the collaboration between HAMAP-Humanitaire and RONG continues. It is through easier access to latrines that we hope to improve education, reduce the drop-out rate, particularly among girls, and improve health and hygiene in our schools. We thank HAMAP-Humanitaire for its support in reaching these goals.