Senegal | World Food Programme

Senegal faces worrying levels of food insecurity, due to a combination of factors including inadequate access to food, inappropriate infant and young childcare and feeding practices, poor hygiene and sanitation practices, and insufficient access to drinking water and health services. In total, 1.3 million people faced acute food insecurity during the lean season in 2023.

Climate change has damaged food production through frequent heatwaves, droughts – particularly in the north – and flooding. This combines with poor land management and other factors such as deforestation in the south. At the same time, cumulated crises, from the war in Ukraine to poor harvests and regional instability, have driven up the price of food and transport services.

World Food Programme (WFP) support includes providing emergency assistance, for example through digital transfers, while building resilience to climate shocks through supporting sustainable livelihoods. We support the government’s national social protection programme, which aims to tackle chronic poverty and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.