In 2025, Senegal continued to face significant pressures, especially in the northern and eastern Sahel areas, due to climate crises, rising food prices and declining agricultural incomes. In addition, seasonal migration and youth unemployment continued to increase many families’ vulnerability.

Nationally, the food situation was relatively stable but fragile. Of nearly 19.6 million people analysed, 504,386 were acutely food insecure or worse, and in need of immediate assistance. Rural areas in the north and east showed worsening signs of food insecurity, with the situation potentially deepening during the lean season due to reduced food stocks and rising prices.

Nutritional indicators remained worrying, with the latest available data showing that 10 per cent of children under 5 years were suffering from acute malnutrition and 18 per cent were stunted. Anaemia was also very common, affecting 71 per cent of children and 54 per cent of women. In addition, infant feeding practices remained limited, with only 27 per cent of children aged 6 to 23 months receiving a minimally diversified diet.

In this context, Action Against Hunger assisted 58,426 people in Senegal through various programmes in 2025. More than 18,000 people participated in malnutrition-prevention activities, focused on infant feeding and early detection of children at risk. Through WASH programmes, more than 1,100 people had improved their access to water and adopted better hygiene practices, helping to prevent disease and improve food nutritional usage. In terms of food security, more than 36,000 people received support to improve their access to food through cash assistance and income-generating activities.

These actions have contributed to improving access to food for households, reducing the use of negative coping strategies and strengthening the early detection of children at risk of malnutrition, facilitating their referral to health services.