A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
The Food Security crisis has been a regional crisis affecting the Sahel area, mainly four countries - Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania and Guinea Bissau. A total of 3.55 million people needed emergency food assistance in the Sahel in 2015.
Consequently this appeal has been part of a wider response in the Region and has been included in the IFRC Sahel Food Insecurity Regional Operational Strategic Plan.
In Senegal the 2014 crop year was characterized by a late start and poor distribution of rains. In March 2015, agricultural crops 2014-2015 campaign showed that Senegal decreased cereal production by 16% compared to the average of the past 5 years due to rainfall deficit. Updated analysis of the food security and nutrition situation in the country, provided by the last harmonized framework (21 March 2015) showed that the number of people IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) was 2,370,730, and the number of people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) reached 639,702. Also projected situation for June-August 2015 predicted that the figures would increase to 3,147,370 people under Stressed (Phase 2), and 1,039,550 people in Crisis (Phase 3). The situation was further worsened by the closure of markets at the border with Guinea due to the Ebola outbreak, which had a negative impact in South borders of Senegal.
In order to provide an appropriate and timely response, the IFRC Sahel Regional Representation, in collaboration with the Africa Region Disaster Management Unit and the Senegalese Red Cross Society launched an emergency appeal for CHF 2,533,016 to support 72,000 vulnerable people for 12 months. The appeal activities have been planned in four departments where Senegalese Red Cross Society (SRCS) has chosen working with vulnerable populations: Kanel (Matam Region), Podor (Saint Louis Region), Fatick (Fatick Region) and Goudomp (Sedhiou Region). These intervention areas have been chosen based on the three survey results (ERSAN, SMART, and last harmonized framework) and for being the more depressed areas in need of humanitarian assistance and to avoid duplication with other actors.