Senegal's disaster management system covers risk reduction, preparedness, warnings, rescue, assistance and recovery. The Direction de la Protection civile (DPC) supports the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security in coordinating public protection. The Plan ORSEC is Senegal's national emergency organization plan; when activated, it mobilizes public and private resources through a command staff, operational groups, support cells and a resource-management committee. Governors, prefects, municipalities, the Brigade Nationale des Sapeurs-Pompiers (BNSP), the Senegalese Red Cross and other partners may take part according to the event and location. The Agence Nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM) issues weather bulletins, short-term forecasts, 72-hour forecasts and seasonal information. Its special weather bulletins and green, yellow or red vigilance levels can warn about maritime and coastal dangers. SMS and voice subscriptions provide another warning channel. People should follow official instructions, report hazards and participate in local preparedness, first-aid and awareness activities. Flood risk is especially significant in low-lying and poorly drained urban areas, including parts of the Dakar region and other urbanizing zones. Communities along the Senegal and Gambia river systems, including areas around Saint-Louis, Matam, Podor, Bakel and Tambacounda, may face high water, temporary displacement and interruptions to roads, utilities, schools, health facilities and water and sanitation services. Northern, central and eastern areas can face drought and water shortages, while coastal and delta areas face erosion, saltwater intrusion, storm surges and dangerous swell. Bush fires, extreme heat, lightning and drowning require local precautions as well. During a major emergency, the BNSP provides fire, rescue, pumping and technical assistance. Authorities may arrange evacuation or temporary accommodation in schools, health posts, community centers or host families, but Senegal has no single publicly documented nationwide shelter register or standard evacuation arrangement for every event. The Fonds de Solidarité Nationale (FSN) can provide support after damage assessment, sometimes using the Registre National Unique (RNU) to help identify affected households. The amount, timing and eligibility depend on the event, assessment and available budget; there is no general guaranteed payment or accommodation for every affected household. Emergency contacts include 17 for Police Secours, 18 for the fire and rescue service, and the free 800 00 20 20 hotline, available around the clock. After flooding, recovery may involve lowering standing water, disinfecting and reopening schools and health facilities, restoring water and sanitation services, resuming education and rebuilding livelihoods. Projects such as PROGEP2 support urban drainage and flood-risk planning, while national planning also addresses multi-risk preparedness, flood protection, drought and pastoral insurance, and gaps such as delayed emergency payments and limited flood or public-asset insurance.
Disasters in Senegal
Disasters in Senegal include floods, drought, bush fires, extreme heat, coastal erosion, storm surges, dangerous swell, lightning and drowning. Risks differ by region: urban flooding affects parts of Dakar and other growing areas, while river flooding, water shortages and coastal hazards affect other regions. Senegal combines early warnings, emergency response, evacuation, relief and recovery through public authorities and partner organizations.
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