A Catholic charity says pregnant migrant women in Mauritania are dying during childbirth and that without care from religious Sisters, their babies would also die.

Sister Marie-Ange Ndayishimiye, who leads the Welcome Office at St Joseph’s parish in the capital Nouakchott, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that most migrants arrive with nothing and are offered care by nuns at St Joseph’s which is one of only two Catholic churches in the Muslim-majority country.

Many of the refugees are fleeing from conflict, violence and financial difficulties.

Sister Marie-Ange said: “We have had more than six people suffering from depression – these patients run away, disappear and sometimes leave small children behind.

“We are also seeing an increase in deaths among pregnant women during or after childbirth, leaving behind babies to whom we give milk, clothes, mosquito nets and nappies.”

She said often migrants are women – both Catholic and Muslim – seeking safety while their husbands continue on to more developed countries. They include pregnant women and mothers carrying children.

But until any of them can support themselves financially, the Sisters give them food and hygiene kits.

Sister Marie Ange added: “We are a little overwhelmed by migrants who can no longer work and who must survive solely on aid. Too many pregnant women to rescue, some give birth by caesarean section, families to be cared for and fed.

“We entrust ourselves to your prayers and remain hopeful for a better change in the current situation.”

ACN is supporting the Sisters at St Joseph’s Welcome Office in their care of migrants as well as their training for lay people.