In the village of Yaféra, located 35 kilometers from Bakel, residents are trying to resume normal life two months after the floods caused by the overflowing of the Senegal River. In September and October, this locality, mainly populated by the Soninké community, was hit hard by the waters which invaded homes and schools.
Today, after the waters receded, the inhabitants of this region of eastern Senegal are working to rebuild their homes and infrastructure. Lassana Timéra, administrator of “Yaféra Tv”, remembers the panic that gripped the village during the flood. “People were scared, they were upset,” he testifies.
Yaféra schools, including the Franco-Arab school, particularly suffered from these floods, with significant material damage. Dramane Timéra, a teacher at this school, remembers the abrupt end of classes: “We stopped classes on October 13. » Since then, efforts have been made to recover equipment, but the needs remain significant.
On the economic level, residents finally see hope with the gradual resumption of their activities. Samana Doucouré, canoeist, rediscovered the joy of working after a break of several months: “It was difficult for us,” he confides about the moments spent without activity.
The reconstruction of homes remains a major challenge. Many mud houses are still on the ground, and the victims, as Khalilou Keïta points out, are concerned about the lack of means to rebuild. “We thank the State for the food support […] Currently, it is the reconstruction of our houses that concerns us,” he says.
Many families remain temporarily housed on a rehousing site, while waiting for additional resources to rebuild. Boubou Baby, an octogenarian, expresses his dismay at this situation, recalling memories of similar floods in 1955.
The victims are hoping for increased support from the authorities, particularly through housing projects. Cheikhna Camara, mayor of Ballou, pleads for greater assistance to facilitate reconstruction: “This is a very difficult time for the victims, particularly for the reconstruction of their homes. » He underlines the urgency of this aid so that the affected populations can regain a semblance of normality.
This article was written based on information provided by APS, highlighting the challenges facing the Yaféra community in recovering from this natural disaster.
