chapter 4 - DRK

Strictly under embargo until Wednesday 22 September at 00:01 GMT (02:01 Geneva time)shortages. Retaining walls and small dams have been constructed on nearby lagoons,but now these interventions are being called into question as they may have contributedto water shortages, along with the increased demands that come with populationgrowth, land-use changes and deforestation. The city of Quito will also face watershortages, as glacial retreat is exacerbated by increased sedimentation of waterways,land-use modification and increases in water use due to higher temperatures. Foodinsecurity in urban areas is also influenced by climate change impacts on agriculture asa consequence of water scarcity and other weather impacts on crop production.Box 6.2 Cooperating on flood risk in Saint-Louis, SenegalSaint-Louis is Senegal’s former capital and ithad 180,000 inhabitants in 2002. The cityis situated on three islands cut off from eachother by the Senegal River, its tributaries andthe Atlantic Ocean. Some areas of the city areless than 2.5 metres above mean sea level. Thecity has experienced recurrent flooding since1990, caused by the rains and peak flows inthe Senegal River. The rising river level is theresult of the silting-up of the river bed, the dumpingof household waste, the reduced area availablefor flood-water irrigation (as unplanned urbanizationmeans these areas are now coveredby houses) and a shallow water table that risesto the surface when the river swells and drainspoorly during the winter season.Who is affected by flooding?Flooding in Saint-Louis generally affects areasinhabited by the lowest-income groups. Thehousehold economy of those most at risk fromflooding is very fragile; after each flood, theirpoverty is increased. Schools generally takein the flood victims and two or three familiesmay find themselves living in a single classroomand the school year may be reduced byseveral months. Economic activity also slowsdown as workplaces are under water.The extent of the floods that occurred duringthe 2009 winter season led the Senegaleseauthorities to initiate the national disaster responseplan to address the situation. Stagnantrainwater in the flooded areas, combined witha lack of clean water, inadequate drainageand wastewater and solid waste management(only 30 per cent of households have a regularsolid waste collection and less than 10 percent sewer connections) brings serious healthimpacts. Risks are further compounded by theproliferation of disease vectors (flies, mosquitoes,cockroaches, rats, mice, etc.), poor hygieneand high levels of overcrowding.Responding to vulnerabilityThe strategy of the Senegalese non-governmentalorganization (NGO) Enda-Tiers Monde inresponse to flooding in Saint-Louis has beenbased not on building infrastructure but onstrengthening local governance. Stakeholderscome together to engage in dialogue andexchange views in order to find solutions toproblems that are beyond their individual skillsor capacities. An action plan has been developedand is managed by a steering committee,which ensures that the programme’s information,education and communication activitiesare implemented smoothly. Plays, exhibitions,media broadcasts, teatime ‘chats’, interviews,photo exhibitions, intensive awareness-raisingcampaigns, open-air conferences and public120