Mauritania borders Atlantic Ocean for 750 km, 90% in Sahara Desert. Population of 5 million people, economy heavily dependent on commodities. Rich in minerals, fish reserves, and Commodity exports
FEMA was established in 1979 under President Carter to coordinate disaster response. First federal disaster relief legislation passed in 1803 for Portsmouth fires. Piecemeal approach existed from 1930s to 1960s with multiple agencies involved