• Crisis Severity ?
    2.4
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Impact ?
    3.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Humanitarian Conditions ?
    2.6
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Complexity ?
    1.6
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Access Constraints ?
    1.0
    No constraints
    Extreme constraints

Key figures

  • 18,276,000 Total population [?]
  • 876,000 People in Need [?]

Overview

03/02/2021

Senegal has a high level of vulnerability to food insecurity, particularly in the semi-arid northern and eastern regions. Food insecurity in Senegal commonly results from recurrent natural hazards, especially drought and seasonal flooding.?

Approximately 511,000 people in Senegal were facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity during the September–December 2020 period. While overall reaching sufficient levels of production, the 2020/2021 agricultural season has been affected by a deficit in food for animals in certain departments, and by heavy rainfall which has damaged crops and led to the proliferation of pests.

In the June–August 2021 projected period, the food security situation of 858,000 people in need of food assistance could further deteriorate because of deficits in cereal production, causing a premature depletion of food stocks. Those vulnerable to food insecurity could begin experiencing the lean season (June–September) earlier than usual.?

Latest Developments

08/03/2023

More than 1.4 million people are expected to experience severe acute food insecurity (CH 3 and 4) in June–August 2023, a 62% increase compared to October–December 2022. These figures have never reached such high levels in the country before. The main drivers of the increase include climate hazards, such as droughts and floods; low pasture and fodder availability; insufficient food production; land degradation; and high food prices. Food prices in local markets increased by 17% in October 2022 as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the increase in global commodity prices. In 2022, the increase in production costs, specifically high fertiliser and energy prices, and strong export demand also led to an increase in cereal prices. The prices of locally produced cereals have increased by more than 60% on an annual basis since 2022. People living from agricultural activities (about 70% of the active population), together with low-income population, are among the groups most affected by food insecurity.?