Exploring one of many bidonvilles in Dakar

Thanks to the research and contacts of Chloe Charreton, Kria was introduced to Papa Diakhate. Born in St Louis in the north, he and his parents moved to the big city of Dakar, like so many in the neighborhood.

Especially during the drought of the 1980s rural immigrants sought refuge in the city. And they found open areas they could build their houses. They did not know this used to be the bottoms of a series of lakes in the dunes of Dakar. The location is reasonably close to the city and all the employment opportunities, so more people kept coming in.

But when the rain and the water returned, the neighborhood simply floods. And this happens basically every year. Papa Diakhate mobilized the neighborhood to safe what they can and reinforce houses. And if all fails people are evacuated to the local school.

Is there a way to sustainably and structurally improve the situation?

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