[Vidéo] Yaféra: the daily fight of a village for reconstruction

Three months ago, the calm that defined Yaféra, a small agricultural village nestled a few kilometers from Bakel, was violently disrupted by floods of unprecedented scale. Although residents were fortunate not to report any human losses, the material consequences were devastating. Since then, the life of this community has transformed into a daily struggle, where each day is a step closer to reconstruction.

In Yaféra, the land is the foundation of everything. Peanut and rice fields feed families and constitute their main source of income. But this year, the crops disappeared under the water.

Adama Timéra, son of the village chief and farmer, describes the situation with deep sadness: “We couldn’t save anything. Not a single peanut. Even the hay, which the women collect for the animals, was taken away. » Without crops to save, granaries remain desperately empty, and food insecurity sets in. To make matters worse, the price of peanuts, now set at 1,000 FCFA per kilo, makes access to food even more difficult.

Despite everything, some residents are trying to get back on their feet by turning to out-of-season crops, such as sweet potatoes or beans. But these efforts, although laudable, are far from meeting the growing needs of the community.

The houses, built of mud, did not resist the violence of the weather. Of 74 damaged houses, 26 have become uninhabitable, while the rest are marked with deep cracks, threatening to collapse at any moment. Many families today live in tents provided by local associations and the State of Senegal. “These tents are not made to last,” says Khalilou Keita, a disaster victim. “At night, it’s freezing cold, and during the day, it’s a real furnace. »

These precarious living conditions expose residents to growing health problems. Only one toilet is available for all families living in the tents, which increases the risk of illnesses such as diarrhea and skin infections. However, solidarity between the villagers remains strong. Families share what little they have, and despite the difficulties, children continue to go to school.

Concerns

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But with Ramadan approaching, concerns are becoming more pressing. “We have no way of preserving food. Having a refrigerator would change everything,” confides Ibrahima Traoré, who, like many others, is struggling to maintain a glimmer of hope under these makeshift tarpaulins.

In this difficult context, the community is organizing itself. Amada Timéra, head of the flood commission, works tirelessly to mobilize resources and respond to the most urgent needs. “We do our best, but our means are limited,” he explains. Experts and sons of the village, such as Mamadou Bouna Timéra, geographer at Cheikh Anta Diop University, proposed sustainable solutions: construction of retention basins, improvement of infrastructure and reorganization of residential areas. However, these projects require significant funding, which is long overdue.

As the next rainy season approaches, anxiety grows. “If nothing is done, we risk reliving the same nightmare,” warns Adama Timéra. The priorities are clear: rebuild solid houses, improve sanitary conditions and secure access to drinking water. But for this, the community needs support.

Despite everything, the inhabitants of Yaféra maintain faith in the future. They draw their strength from their solidarity and the help of loved ones living abroad. “The State has provided the beginnings of a solution, but it is not enough,” declares Boubacar Babi, farmer and disaster victim. “What we want is not charity, but the means to get back on our feet. »

In this village marked by hardship, the desire to rebuild is palpable. Khalilou Keita sums up the state of mind of his neighbors: “We are not asking for much. Just a chance to get our lives back on track. »

Yafféra is today a symbol of resilience and hope. With appropriate support and concrete actions, this village could once again become the peaceful haven it once was.

Papa Abdoulaye SY, special envoy to Bakel