Providing Food and Nutritional Assistance in Senegal - Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This project aims to help vulnerable populations cope with the negative effects of COVID 19 and the restrictions put in place by the Senegalese government to fight it. This project seeks to help vulnerable households avoid resorting to negative coping strategies minimize the risk of acute malnutrition and prevent micronutrient deficiencies from being exacerbated in pregnant and lactating women. This project also helps stabilize and improve immediate access to the nutritious foods required so that beneficiaries can truly participate in the project initiatives. Project activities include: (1) distributing unconditional cash transfers to targeted beneficiaries during the hunger gap and during the COVID 19 crisis; (2) providing mothers of students associations with training and capacity-building sessions to increase income-generating activities and boost their incomes; and (3) improving farmers’ access to food security by providing assistance to create community assets. This project expects to reach 8 regions and 20 departments as well as 806 188 beneficiaries.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved food security among vulnerable populations; (2) improved nutritional security among pregnant and breastfeeding women and among children under 5 in Senegal; and (3) increased resilience among populations and communities experiencing food insecurity who are exposed to climate shocks and other hazards.