On Wednesday, 17 September 2025, the city of Saint-Louis was the scene of a crucial awareness-raising session, organised by the local coordination of the African Human Rights Meeting (RADHO).
The activity, which focused on rights, fundamental freedoms and civic duties, highlighted the precarious situation of communities affected by coastal erosion, particularly that of displaced children from the Khar Yalla neighbourhood.
The session, held in the presence of the community, began with a powerful introduction by Mr Dieng, Coordinator of RADHO. Through an interactive exercise, he captivated the audience, laying the groundwork for a rich and informative discussion on citizenship and its implications.
The highlight of the day was the presentation by Adama Coundoul, a child protection specialist and member of RADHO in Saint-Louis. He led an interactive session dedicated to child protection in the context of climate displacement. His exchanges with the population revealed an alarming reality: the Khar Yalla neighbourhood lacks everything. The needs are immense, ranging from schools and health facilities to a healthy environment and safe recreational spaces. The list of emergencies is far from exhaustive.
Continuing the momentum, Mr Yakhoup Coulibaly enriched the discussions by developing the theme of fundamental rights and freedoms, thus complementing RADHO’s comprehensive approach.
In conclusion, the community representative and president of the Khar Yalla neighbourhood youth association warmly welcomed RADHO’s initiative. She made a passionate appeal to civil society to continue advocating on behalf of these vulnerable communities. The objective is clear: to significantly improve the living conditions and livelihoods of these populations, particularly children, who are the first victims of these environmental disasters.
This session of RADHO in Saint-Louis once again highlights the urgent need to act on behalf of the rights of climate refugees and emphasises the essential role of civil society organisations in defending these populations in the face of the challenges posed by environmental change.
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