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Senegal + 6 more

Senegal: Population Movement - Emergency Plan of Action Final Report (MDRSN013)

Attachments

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

The Gambia is a country of more than 300 km inside Senegalese territory. During the presidential elections in December 2016, The Gambia was a concern because of the outgoing President's challenge to the results. Despite the efforts of the international community for a peaceful resolution, the situation remained tense causing massive displacement of populations towards Senegal.
According to UNHCR, more than 45,000 people reportedly crossed the Senegalese borders. These displaced persons were comprised of Gambians, Senegalese, Sierra Leoneans, Mauritanians, Guineans, Malians and Ivoirians1. Information collected by the various local committees of the Senegalese Red Cross Society (SRCS) in areas bordering The Gambia reported more than 27,563 displaced persons, including 1,851 children under five years old, 347 pregnant women, and 602 elderly persons. This massive population movement caused a critical humanitarian situation. Even though the first arrivals were absorbed by host populations, during the last few days, massive inflow of displaced persons that exceeded local communities’ capacities was noted. The increasing number of arrivals has t high pressure on host communities that were no longer able to face the urgent needs of accommodation, food, water and latrines. There were very few partners in the area responding to the increasing needs of displaced persons and host communities.
The security situation evolved with the departure into exile of the out-going President on 21 January, 2017. Thousands of people returned home from Senegal as the country’s new President pledged stability. Many people needed assistance to go back home. Hence buses sent by the Senegalese and Gambian authorities to help repatriate displaced people. The International Federation of Red Cross released a DREF to ensure that the displaced people, received appropriate assistance.
Through the DREF operation, the target host families got support and the capacities of the Senegalese Red Cross branches were reinforced through a lessons learned workshop focusing on the best practices.
The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic, Zurich and Coca Cola Foundations and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the Senegalese Red Cross Society (GRCS) would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.