Senegal

Senegal is on the western-most point of Africa. The country gained independence from France in 1960, and French as well as various indigenous languages are spoken.

The once dense forests of southern Senegal are now shrinking due to lack of rainfall and indiscriminate deforestation, while the north is very dry and consists of sparse vegetation. The central region is characterised by grasslands and trees.

Senegal has been democratic and relatively peaceful for many years, and the country has one of the region's more stable economies. Despite this, unemployment is high and poverty is widespread - nearly a quarter of the 11.3 million people in Senegal live on less than $1 a day.

Some of the reasons why Plan works in Senegal

• A quarter of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
• Only half the rural population have access to adequate drinking water
• 66% of the rural population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities
• Half of children do not go to primary school