Strengthening Climate and Community Resilience in the Senegal River Valley
The World Bank is supporting a major initiative to tackle urgent challenges in the Senegal River Valley. To discuss sustainable development strategies and adaptation to climate change in this region, a high-level Regional Forum was held in Saint-Louis, Senegal, at the start of 2024.
The Senegal River Valley is a region located on the borders of Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. The Senegal River is the second most important river in West Africa after the Niger River.
The Senegal River Valley is a vital region for the local economy and their inhabitants. The region is now facing increasing threats from climate change: rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, sea level rise, soil and water salinisation, desertification and land degradation.
In this context, a major initiative to strengthen climate and community resilience in the region has been launched by the Mauritania and Senegal governments. This initiative is supported by the World Bank with 195 million dollars funded via the International Development Association (IDA).
The Senegal River Valley Development and Resilience Project aims to improve access to infrastructure and services that are inclusive, integrated at regional level and climate-change resilient for an estimated 2.9 million people in Mauritania and Senegal.
This project addresses the poverty and vulnerability of riverside communities by investing in community infrastructure and improving irrigation infrastructure, helping farmers adapt to climate change, introducing drought-resistant crops and increasing agricultural productivity. The project also aims to protect biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems.
On 18 January 2024, a high-level regional forum attended by decision-makers and experts was held in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The purpose was to discuss sustainable development issues and strategies, as well as adaptation to climate change in the Senegal River Valley. A regional approach was highlighted as important in seeking solutions to protect the region from the negative impacts of climate change. Discussions focused on the need for private investment, adapted to the new climate challenges.
These initiatives illustrate the commitment of a number of Sahelian and international stakeholders to work together for sustainable and resilient development to tackle climate challenges.
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