The ICRC opened an office in Nouakchott in 2005. It visits persons throughout the country who have been deprived of their liberty, in particular those accused of endangering State security. In 2007, these visits were expanded to include people held in police custody. Apart from anything else, these visits enable the detainees to exchange private messages with their families. They also provide an opportunity for the presence of foreign detainees to be reported to their country's consular officials in Mauritania.

Since 2007, the ICRC has been regularly visiting the Nouadhibou transit centre, north of Nouakchott, which holds migrants pending their transfer to Senegal or Mali.