"The AfDB is a preferential partner of Mauritania. It has funded various projects in the country and helped to improve socio-economic conditions for the Mauritanian population," stated Diomba Thiam, Minister of Finance for Mauritania, at the African Development Bank's Annual Meetings in Kigali.

Thiam made the statement on Thursday, May 22 during a signing ceremony with Aly Abou-Sabaa, AfDB Vice-President, Sector Operations, in which the AfDB has agreed to provide $820,000 in emergency humanitarian relief agreement to Mauritania.

The funds are intended to provide relief for flood victims and reinforce existing efforts by the government and other humanitarian partners to repair the damage caused in 2013. The donation also enables Mauritania to anticipate and prepare for damage caused by future heavy rains.

"These floods are caused by climate change. As a result of this recurring flooding, some 300,000 members of the population who were already suffering extreme poverty are now even more vulnerable. This situation requires concerted effort to tackle climate change," Abou-Sabaa said.

"This donation comes at just the right time, and will help us to become more resilient and support flood-hit populations in rural areas," Thiam added.