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Photography by Joe Penney for Reuters
Mbera, a refugee camp set up for people fleeing violence in northern Mali, is home to more than 64,000 people, according to the United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR. While most live in UNHCR-donated tents, hundreds of families living outside the official camp grounds reside in informal structures built with whatever materials they can find, including sticks, blankets, towels and empty cement bags.
Zeinab Mint Mohamed, 22, poses for a picture in her makeshift home near Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania, May 24, 2012. Mint Mohamed, along with her sisters and two-month old boy Habibi, fled her hometown of Nara, Mali, in March and has settled just outside the official Mbera camp area.
Ibrahim ag Jiddou, 12, poses in his shelter made of sticks and cloth in Mbera refugee camp, May 24, 2012. Jiddou and his family fled violence in his hometown of Lere, Mali, in March. They took 19 hours in a bush taxi to get to Mbera camp. Jiddou says he wants to be a general in an independent state of Azawad proclaimed by desert Tuaregs - covering roughly three regions of northern Mali - when he grows up.
Sisters Takia, 20, (L) and Fatimata Wallet Mohammed, 18, pose in their shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 23, 2012. In March, Takia and Fatimata fled their home in Lere, Mali, along with their parents and five other siblings. They are waiting for the international community to recognise the independent state of Azawad before returning home.
Moulay Mohamed, 55, and his daughter Katita Neneh pose on a carpet in front of their shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 24, 2012. Mohamed and Katita Neneh fled their hometown of Lerneb, Mali, in March and took a day by road to arrive in Mbera, settling just outside the official camp grounds.
Arakiya Mint Hama poses with her children in her makeshift shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 23, 2012. Hama fled her hometown of Lere, Mali, in January with relatives and her children because of violence, leaving her husband behind, to ensure safety for the children.
Zeinab Mint Hama, 25, poses with her children Zuber (L), Bon Oumar (2nd L) and Seydna Ali in front of her shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 23, 2012. Hama fled her hometown of Lere, Mali, in January with relatives and her children because of violence, leaving her husband behind, to ensure the safety of her children.
Kadjiatou Mint Sidi, 50, poses for a picture in front of her makeshift shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 24, 2012. Sidi fled her hometown of Lerneb, Mali, in the beginning of May and rode in a donkey cart for six days to get to Mauritania.
A blanket hangs on a fence outside a makeshift shelter at Mbera refugee camp in southern Mauritania, May 23, 2012.
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