Senegal
In December 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched activities to assist people attempting to make the perilous Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands from Senegal.
Our activites in 2025 —
outpatient consultations
Every year, thousands of people attempt to reach the Canary Islands from West Africa aboard makeshift, overloaded boats that lack safety standards. While interceptions at sea by Senegalese and Mauritanian authorities appear to have discouraged wouldbe migrants — as evidenced by the 60 per cent decrease in arrivals to the Canary Islands — it is difficult to estimate how many boats disappear at sea with dozens of passengers on board.
MSF launched activities in Senegal to provide care to people attempting this journey, initially conducting training for state authorities and civil society organisations involved in maritime search and rescue.
By the end of the year, we had opened an outpatient consultation centre within Colobane health facility, where we offer general healthcare and psychological support for migrants, including Senegalese nationals who had been turned back. We also began mobile outreach activities, with a team composed of a doctor, nurse, and social worker visiting migrants directly in the community three times per week to provide first aid and refer people in need of further care to our health centre. In addition, we also assist migrants in finding shelter and legal support.