Since September 2002, A.S.O. has been in partnership with SOS SAHEL within the scope of a programme for protecting the environment in west Africa. Based on projects that directly stem from local initiatives, Actions Dakar has set up in country and town, with the region of Louga, Senegal as a homebase. The various operations cover management of waste, natural resources (plantations, protection of varieties in fields…) or fostering awareness in the younger generation at school. After three years of working fruitfully together, the partnership was renewed this year for a furthr period of three years. Chief representative of the association, Rémi Hemeryck, draws up an inventory.

Projects for Africa

What do you make of the three years of partnership with the Dakar?
It has been a real success, because 60 actions, initiated by local associations, have seen the light of day through our joint collaboration. Representing a budget of between €2,000 and €5,000 and involving on average around 100 people, these are easy-to-run projects. In concrete terms, by way of example, we are installing drip feed crop irrigation systems. These are simple techniques which enable significant water savings to be made, especially if they are widespread.

Actions Dakar is a long-term commitment…
The idea is precisely to reach the youngest people to change behaviour patterns and achieve efficient action. For a real regional development policy to be implemented, there must be real awareness. I feel that the impact of Actions Dakar is all the more valuable for operating at a sustainable level rather than being concerned with immediately changing living conditions. It is not enough just to dig a well in a village. The well also needs to be looked after.

What areas of development is Actions Dakar focusing on?
We have chosen to retain the same themes, namely reforestation, organisation of waste collection and improvement of health conditions in general. The aim is also to develop the involvement of local authorities which, as far as possible, will contribute 15 to 20% of funding. We now have credibility which encourages all local players to invest even more. This is why we want to avoid dispersion and focus our actions on the regions with which we are already familiar, namely Louga and its surrounding area.

Actions Dakar in figures

• 186,000 people concerned
• 65 projects
• €300,000, 75% funded by A.S.O.

Making people environmentally aware
• 953 members of groups trained in natural resource management
• 25,989 children and adults made aware of good environmental practices

Protection and enhancement of soils and forestry resources
• 1,208 enhanced stoves built
• 888 ha of arable land protected
• 21,656 trees saved
• 132,089 trees planted
• 69 composters built
• 3 dunes fixed

Health protection and water hygiene
• 62 latrines and 62 catch basins built
• 5 pools developed
• 85 water reservoirs put into operation
• 1,132 families benefitting from waste collection

SOS SAHEL is an NGO which, for over 25 years, has been carrying out development projects in sub-Saharan Africa: Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Burkina Faso. Its fields of activity are environmental protection, access to drinking water, preventive health care and agricultural development.

For any questions you may have, you can write directly to actionsdakar@sossahel.org.

SOS SAHEL International France
2, avenue Jeanne
92604 Asnières-sur-Seine Cedex
Tél. : +33 (0) 1 46 88 93 70.