Bernard Arcens won the award in recognition of his efforts, together with those of the government of Senegal and the local authorities. In some areas there is a county council responsible for services such as education, waste management and strategic planning within a county, with several non-metropolitan district councils responsible for services such as housing, waste collection and local planning. These councils are elected in separate elections, to assist thousands of refugees[1] from Guinea Bissau[2] to establish themselves in the Casamance Region of Senegal.