Floods in Dakar

Val Burton

The situation
Three months since 183,000 people in Dakar were affected by severe floods resulting from torrential rains, many houses and schools are still floating in water. Despite the local fire brigade’s efforts to pump the water, the lack of proper drainage and sewage facilities has hindered the progress.

Families have been displaced and they are sheltering in two military camps and some surrounding schools or central shopping areas. But some families are still reluctant to leave their houses, preferring to wade through their flooded homes.

The existing relief camps cannot shelter all the homeless. Each family is settled in just one tent, regardless of its size. The mass crowding has created bad hygiene conditions, which in turn has generated waterborne diseases like diarrhea and malaria, although recent reports indicate that cholera is now under control.

Situation in Plan-affiliated communities
Medina Gounass and Thiaroye Kaw townships - two Plan Dakar Urban (PU180) working areas - are built on swampy ground, and as a result become flooded during almost every rainy season. But this year’s heavy torrential rains have worsened what is known now to be a common phenomenon. In these townships 640 families are affected, with 368 now living in the relief camps.

The new academic year resumed a couple weeks ago, however education is being disrupted due to the floods.

Communication to and from sponsored children will be affected, as access to displaced families can prove difficult. However, Plan staff are regularly visiting the area, assisting wherever possible and attempting to boost morale amongst the communities.

Plan's response
Government officials in charge of the relief operations are providing food, blankets, first aid medicines, mats and mattress. However due to the high number of flood victims, there are not enough supplies to go around.

Plan is assisting through the provision of medicines, emergency relief shelters and providing children with food supplies. Schools that are still being used as shelters are being evacuated so that necessary repairs and decontamination can be carried out.
 
A census is also being conducted by Plan about the number of sponsored children and families affected, to provide the appropriate assistance to help ease their plight.

Plan staff will continue to monitor the situation of the communities with further updates when and if available.