Senegal River Floods: Populations Want Long-Term Solutions
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More than 44 sites in the Matam region and 51 villages in the Saint-Louis region, as well as villages in Tambacounda and Bakel have been flooded. A press release from the government maintains that « the Armed Forces and the Csar have delivered 500 tons of food, tents, mattresses, mosquito nets and other basic necessities to the victims. »
The extent of the damage caused by the floods in the localities along the Senegal River is enormous. According to a press release issued by the government following the visit of the Head of State this Saturday to Bakel, « as of October 18, 2024, there has been flooding in more than 44 sites in the Matam region and 51 villages in the Saint-Louis region. » Minister Amadou Moustapha Ndiéck Sarré said that « the departments of Tambacounda and Bakel have also been seriously impacted. » In total, he reported, « 774 households (or approximately 55,600 people) are directly affected and 1,002 hectares of fields have been flooded, mainly affecting pepper crops (49.19%), rice (21.59%) and corn (10.56%). »
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Flood victims in localities along the River Senegal denounced the delay in assistance provided by state services. However, the government, after the visit of the Head of State to Bakel, said that it had, « in the face of the emergency, immediately released 8 billion CFA francs to finance the first emergency measures. » Amadou Moustapha Ndiéck Sarré, Minister Spokesperson, maintained in the PR that « the State, under the coordination of the Minister of the Interior, mobilized the Ministries of the Armed Forces, Health, Hydraulics and Sanitation, as well as the territorial and decentralized authorities. » He reports that « the Armed Forces and the Csar delivered 500 tons of food, tents, mattresses, mosquito nets and other basic necessities to the victims. »
In Bakel in particular, Mr. Sarré reports, « 150 tons of rice and 1,000,000 litres of drinking water have been distributed. A level 1 military hospital has been deployed to provide free medical consultations to the affected populations, while security patrols ensure the protection of the relocation sites. »
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Furthermore, the authorities assured that « the State remains determined to go beyond the emergency and has already planned the construction of resilient infrastructure such as protective dikes and adapted roads to prevent future floods ». In this context, « the reconstruction
of the Laly and Niaoulène Tano bridges, as well as other damaged infrastructure, is also underway ». It is further underlined that « President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called on the populations to be resilient and united in these difficult times ».
« The government is fully mobilized to adjust its interventions according to emerging needs », added Mr. Sarré.
By Dieynaba KANE / dkane@lequotidien.sn
- Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH
