Emergency aid to Kaffrine: World Vision supports victims of flooding
The rainy season began just a few weeks ago and already some regions have suffered torrential downpours. Many regions across Senegal have been severely affected, particularly the departments of Kaffrine and Malem Hoddar which are bearing the brunt of the floods. The extensive damage brought by these devastating rains has affected more than 10,000 people, driving many families from their homes. The precipitation, which in one day reached 175mm, has also destroyed many hectares of fields and jeopardised annual harvests, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and the food stocks of a thousand homes.
As part of its remit to safeguard the well-being of children and their families, World Vision has drawn on almost 115 million FCFA from the Start Fund (an NGO network to which World Vision belongs and which is funded largely by the British government) and is acting alongside local authorities and residents in order to implement an emergency plan to extend aid to victims.
Distribution of aid kits and money
World Vision has orchestrated efforts to distribute aid kits to flood victims in the departments of Kaffrine and Malem Hoddar. The first distribution took place on Friday, August 26th, in Malem Hoddar, impacting 3,575 people in 386 homes. The second will follow shortly in Malem and Kaffrine. The aid kits contain some mats, a kettle, a plastic basin, a litre of bleach, 2 x 500 grams of soap and a litre of multi-purpose liquid detergent (to maintain good hand-washing and general hygiene practices to reduce the possibility of sickness and infection). In addition, an overall cash sum of 75 million FCFA will be distributed to 1,631 affected families, which will benefit 10,000 people directly.
The people benefiting from this aid are the most vulnerable, those who have lost their homes and means of subsistence, and this action supports them in meeting their most urgent needs.
"When the rain started it was 11am and I was in the middle of cooking. My pot was carried away by the waters and the wall of our house fell in. All of my peanut seed stock was also washed away. We have nothing left to sleep on, and a neighbour has even had to lend me the clothes I'm wearing. World Vision's health kits are going to come in very handy for keeping us healthy and keeping the children clean and free from disease," declared Sokhna Ndao Ainoumane.
Ainouma village head Ousmane Ndao went on: "The rains reached the village and ravaged the houses, destroying the harvest and our food reserves. 124 huts and houses have been flattened and the electricity poles have been downed. All our thanks go to World Vision for intervening because sanitation has become our top priority in this situation."
To complete the support, World Vision called on the Kaffrine Sanitation Service (regional service and Malem Hoddar sub-brigade) in order to make people aware of correct handwashing techniques "to protect adults and children from disease, particularly while there is so much stagnant water around to increase the risk of cholera and malaria," underlined sanitation agent Ibrahima Diène.
A funding from START FUND
To finance this effort, World Vision has been able to take advantage of support from the START FUND. These funds may be released for urgent needs in response to catastrophic circumstances where the life or dignity of the affected population is at stake.
Photos credits : Angelina Uloma Nwachukwu