Bassirou Diomaye Faye left Dakar Friday morning for a two-day visit to Kedougou in the east of the country, the Senegalese presidency announced.
During his emergency visit to Kedougou, the Senegalese head of state will meet with people affected by the flooding of the Senegal and Gambia rivers. The trip will also include an inspection of mining areas in eastern Senegal.
At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, October 16, President Faye stressed the urgent need to provide significant aid to the victims of the disaster, expressed the nation’s solidarity and called for the updating of prevention plans in the face of natural disasters.
He insisted on intensifying the emergency response and relief plan while preserving crops, livestock and economic activities in the affected areas.
He also stressed the importance of adapting civil protection systems in the face of the damage caused by floods and the risks associated with climate change.
President Faye stressed the need for regular monitoring of the hydrological situation in collaboration with the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) and the Organisation for the Development of the Gambia River (OMVG).
He recommended that development plans be drawn up for localities along the rivers to limit the impact of flooding.
To support victims of the floods, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, announced on Facebook on Wednesday evening that the state would allocate 8 billion CFA francs. This decision follows a coordination meeting chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Cheikh Niang, and attended by several ministries and partners, including the Senegalese Red Cross.
On Tuesday, October 15, interior minister Jean-Baptiste Tine, visited Dembancané in the Matam region to assess the situation. He reaffirmed the nation’s solidarity and recalled that emergency measures such as the distribution of food, tents and drinking water had been taken to meet the needs of those affected.
The OMVS issued an “orange alert” due to forecasts of heavy rains. Flows in the river’s tributaries indicate a risk of flooding comparable to that of 1999. The population remains on alert, while the authorities continue to organise rapid and effective assistance.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA