In Mauritania, intense wind erosion threatens productive land and infrastructure and causes severe levels of land degradation. Rural poverty encourages migration to urban centres. In an attempt to alleviate these
problems, a project was established which focused on sand encroachment control and the empowerment of communities to initiate and manage land protection and economic activities. Moving sands were controlled by fixing existing sand dunes and establishing physical and biological barriers.

This led to a regeneration of pasture and trees in protected areas. Dairy produce increased due to the improved pastures and people benefited from the increased nutrition. People returned to deserted villages and women gained an improved status through their involvement in project activities. Neighbouring communities are now implementing similar plans.