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Completed project

Food Assistance and Adaptability Training

Senegal
Adapting to climate change
Date

June 2015 to September 2016

Financial contribution

CAD$ 1,145,504

USAID, Food for Peace

Local partner

Fédération des Associations du Fouta pour le Développement (FAFD)

Impact for

20,403 people

(2,267 households)

This emergency humanitarian assistance program seeked to support the women and men of the Kanel department (in the region of Matam in northern Senegal) who are most vulnerable to severe food and nutrition insecurity during the particularly difficult rainy season, also referred to as the “lean season.” In addition to emergency relief (direct distribution of staple foods and food vouchers), the project aimed to support economic activities and increase the targeted communities’ ability to adapt and their resiliency to chronic drought. It was carried out in 6 communes: Orkadiéré, Sinthiou Bamambé-Banadji, Kanel, Odobéré, Hamadi Hounaré, Ndendory.

Objectives

1 / 4

Improving access to food

Food was directly distributed to people living in villages more than 10 km from local markets, and food vouchers were distributed to people from communities within 10 km of local markets (vouchers exchangeable for food rations from merchants) during the 4-month lean season.

The remote department of Kanel, where government services are lacking, was chosen further to a survey that CECI conducted in cooperation with FAFD, ES/NCFS and other regional actors to gain a clearer picture of the level of vulnerability, the strategies for adaptation and the needs of households.

Adapting to climate risks

Fourteen (14) technical training sessions, mostly on agriculture and livestock rearing, were given to local authorities and community leaders (63% women). Sixty-one (61) resiliency workshops were given to 1,689 beneficiaries (53% women) who are spokespersons in their communities, with a view to building resiliency to climate risk. 

Twelve (12) radio programs were produced to obtain better results and reach more communities.

Supporting economic recovery

Funds were directly transferred to 1,989 vulnerable households at the end of the lean period in order to support their economic recovery.

Accountability

In keeping with humanitarian standards (Sphere project), a system of accountability was put in place during the project extension phase—the 2016 lean period (June to September). In cooperation with other organizations in Senegal, the project set up a toll-free number, a suggestion box and a listening committee. 405 comments and/or complaints were submitted to CECI. 89% were requests for assistance for non-beneficiaries, 9% were requests for information and 2% were for minor complaints regarding project activities. No major complaints were recorded, and more than 300 comments included a word of thanks and a request for project renewal.

The Influence of Climate on Community Stability

Food Insecurity Worsening Every Year

Low rainfall recorded in recent years in the north of Senegal has severely affected local agricultural production over time. With crop yields dwindling, local populations have no choice but to dig into cereal reserves, leaving them with less food, or no food at all, to carry them through the rainy season, when there is generally no harvest. Families are thus left without stocks. Furthermore, without sufficient grazing land, livestock cannot survive and is sold at a modest price. With no food reserves or savings to purchase food, families go into debt. The situation worsens with each passing year. From 2013 to 2014 alone, agricultural production in the department of Kanel plummeted 40%.

To provide an adequate response and support the poorest households during the 2015 lean season, the Government of Senegal developed a response plan led by the Executive Secretary of the National Committee on Food Security (ES/NCFS) and appealed to its partners to support the country’s vulnerable populations. With financial backing from FFP/USAID, CECI rose to the call.

Results that count

47%

Increase in household income (from US$60 on average at the start of the project to US$88 at the end)

92%

Percentage of households who ate 3 meals per day during the project (compared to 42% before the intervention)

35%

Percentage of households who diversified their economic activities

20,403

people supported during the 2015 and 2016 lean seasons

15,587

people benefited from Food vouchers

2,314

people benefited from Food distribution

Our partners

Thank you to our financial and implementation partners, without whom this project would not be possible.

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