Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a strong appeal to the Senegalese government on Monday, urging immediate action to provide permanent, adequate housing for approximately 1,000 residents of Khar Yalla, a community displaced by severe flooding and rising sea levels since 2016. The displaced residents, primarily fishers, have found themselves in a dire situation due to poorly planned relocation efforts and insufficient economic support.

Originally residing along the coast, the residents of Khar Yalla were moved five kilometers inland after their homes were destroyed by floods—a consequence of global warming and rising sea levels. This relocation has drastically affected their traditional livelihoods, dependent on fishing, plunging many into poverty.

The temporary housing established for these displaced persons has become a semi-permanent solution without proper infrastructure. The lack of electricity, inadequate waste disposal systems, overcrowding, and ongoing vulnerability to flooding has led to worsening living conditions. HRW highlights that such neglect could be a violation of international human rights obligations, specifically referencing the right to an adequate standard of living as protected under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11.1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

Despite significant funding from the World Bank aimed at relocating coastal communities in Senegal, resources have not been allocated effectively at Khar Yalla, which remains an unsuitable and inadequate place for habitation. HRW criticized both the Senegalese government and the World Bank for their lack of foresight and insufficient consultation with the affected communities, which has led to these ongoing hardships.

HRW has also called on the World Bank to revamp its approach to consulting communities affected by climate change. This would ensure that future projects are more aligned with the actual needs of those impacted, potentially preventing similar scenarios.

The plight of Khar Yalla's residents underscores a broader issue faced by many communities worldwide, where displacement due to environmental changes leads to secondary crises involving housing and economic stability. HRW's call to action seeks not only to remedy the immediate hardships faced by this community but also to establish a precedent for responsible and rights-respecting interventions in similar crises globally.