Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has ordered an urgent technical audit of the country’s drainage and sanitation systems following recent flooding, as the government moves to strengthen flood prevention and emergency response measures.
At an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting on October 13, Faye called for a review of failures in existing sanitation infrastructure and directed the government to update urban drainage plans and national strategies for flood prevention and disaster management.
Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo is to coordinate the review, while relevant ministers have been instructed to accelerate assistance to flood victims, particularly in Dakar. The measures include providing food and essential supplies, arranging temporary accommodation for vulnerable families and strengthening rescue operations, medical assistance and the clearing of flooded areas.
The government will also examine the creation of a National Sanitation Fund to support efforts to improve sanitation infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate emergency response, Faye has called for a broader assessment of measures needed to reduce the risk of future flooding, alongside stronger support for local authorities responsible for delivering public services.
The latest directives signal a push by the Senegalese government to address both the immediate humanitarian consequences of flooding and the infrastructure weaknesses that can leave communities vulnerable to recurrent inundations.
