Magnum Photos
In January, @ziedbromdhane traveled to Mauritania alongside @FAO to document the importance of camels in the daily lives of the country’s population, exploring the impact of climate change on local communities and the importance of camelids for their socio-economic progress.
Ben Romdhane photographed in the country’s capital, Nouakchott, then in the region of Trarza, shedding light on the challenges that camels and herders face in the context of climate variability and increasing urbanization, as well as local initiatives that work with milk and fibre derived from camels, transforming them into cheese and textile products.
“Nomadic herders have had to adapt by finding new grazing routes, but the challenge of climate change continues to threaten their way of life. The ongoing drought has led to a decrease in camel health and productivity, making it even harder for herders to sustain their livelihoods and support their families,” writes Ben Romdhane.
🔗 Read the article at the link in the @magnumphotos bio.
PHOTOS (left to right):
(1) Climate change is impacting the grazing lands for camels, forcing herders to travel long distances to find food for their herds. Trarza, Mauritania. January, 2025.
(2) A nomadic camel herder. Trarza, Mauritania. 2025.
(3) Fatima and the women of the cooperative enjoy tea after a long day of work. The cooperative collects, pasteurizes, and sells camel and cow milk. Boutidouma, Mauritania. 2025.
(4-5) Peri-urban camel herding in Nouakchott plays a crucial role in the local economy, providing milk, meat, and income for many families. Unlike traditional nomadic herding, peri-urban herders operate near the city, balancing between urban demand and limited grazing land. Nouakchott, Mauritania. 2025.
(6) The MATIS factory is a specialized processing unit in Mauritania focused on weaving products derived from camelid resources, particularly wool. Nouakchott, Mauritania. 2025.
(7) Vatimetou Zayed Elmouslimine, the president of the Teydouma cooperative she founded in 2019, works with a colleague on camel milk transformation. Boutilimit, Mauritania. 2025.
© @ziedbromdhane / Magnum Photos