São Paulo – Mauritania implemented this year its Special Ramadan Social Program with two main components: selling basic goods at reduced prices and providing free food distribution and financial transfers to vulnerable families. The information was published by the state news agency AMI, on Wednesday (18), the start of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims.
After visiting sites where the benefits were made available, Mauritania’s president, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, said this year’s program is more comprehensive in geographic coverage, product diversity, availability, and the amount of financial credits allocated, and is part of the government’s efforts to ease citizens’ financial burden during the holy month. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, usually shortening the workday, and share communal meals at nightfall.
The first component of the country’s Ramadan social program is an initiative implemented by the government in partnership with the private sector to sell basic goods at fixed, subsidized prices. According to AMI, this year the program covers all provinces, with an increased number of points of sale and markets dedicated to the initiative, improved product quality, and the inclusion of new items that were not previously covered.
The second component of the program is the government distribution of free food. According to the president, the food will reach 25,000 families, and a total of 143,000 families will receive cash transfers. The total cost of the operation, funded by the state budget, is MRU 13.6 billion (USD 338 million at the current conversion rate). Ghazouani said the initiative reflects the government’s attention to vulnerable groups and its commitment to strengthening the values of social solidarity during the holy month.
Social initiatives are common in Muslim countries during Ramadan, a time besides fasting, followers of Islam are encouraged to practice charity. These efforts come from governments as well as organizations, mosques, businesses, and individuals who assist those in need.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
