Senegal's Climate Displacement Crisis: A Decade of Uncertainty for Families

For over a decade, families in Senegal have been living in limbo, displaced by coastal floods that destroyed their homes. The Langue de Barbarie peninsula, once a thriving fishing community, was ravaged by tidal surges in 2015 and 2016, forcing approximately 1,000 people to flee their homes. Despite initial promises of a permanent solution, these families remain in temporary accommodation, their lives on hold as they wait for a durable solution.

The site of Khar Yalla, where these families were relocated, is a stark reminder of the government's failure to provide adequate support. The area is prone to flooding, lacks essential services, and is deemed unfit for permanent habitation by local and national authorities. Yet, nearly 10 years on, the families continue to face violations of their right to permanent, adequate housing. The situation is a clear example of the need for a comprehensive national planned relocation policy, one that prioritizes the needs of climate-displaced communities.

A recent visit by Human Rights Watch found that some progress has been made, with around a dozen households now having access to electricity. However, the cost of installation is prohibitive for many, and the lack of permanent permits continues to hinder the families' ability to rebuild their lives. The Senegalese government must provide these families with the bare minimum: permanent permits to regularize their tenure and allow them to feel a sense of security and stability.

The situation in Khar Yalla is not an isolated incident. Hundreds of other families have been internally displaced across Senegal due to coastal tidal surges. In 2024 alone, over 57,000 people were displaced by floods, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center. As climate change accelerates, the number of people displaced by disasters is likely to increase, making it imperative for the government to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of these communities.

Senegalese authorities have invested significantly in supporting climate-displaced communities, but the experience of the Khar Yalla families offers valuable lessons for future efforts. Conducting a comprehensive census to identify those displaced the longest, selecting sites that are not flood-prone, and providing families with permanent rather than temporary permits are essential steps towards a durable solution. The government must also prioritize adaptation solutions that enable communities to stay in their homes, rather than relying on planned relocation as a last resort.

Planned relocation comes with serious risks and must be undertaken with caution, respecting human rights principles such as informed consent, meaningful participation, and nondiscrimination. A national planned relocation policy that incorporates these principles is crucial to preventing poorly planned relocations from becoming protracted displacement. The Senegalese government must learn from the experiences of the Khar Yalla families and develop a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of climate-displaced communities, one that prioritizes their dignity, security, and well-being.

As the next flood season approaches, the families in Khar Yalla and other climate-displaced communities in Senegal wait anxiously for a permanent solution. The government must act swiftly to provide these families with the support they need, ensuring that they can rebuild their lives and create a brighter future for themselves and their children. The international community must also recognize the gravity of the situation and provide support to the Senegalese government in its efforts to address the needs of climate-displaced communities. Only through collective action can we hope to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure that the rights of these communities are respected and protected.