* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Alert  

Chad

Towards transition and recovery: Assistance to returning and integrating IDPs, and to Refugees and Host Communities in East & South Chad

Geneva, January 12, 2012

In addition to the current Sahel drought, recent epidemics and the return of 83,000^[1] migrant workers from Libya resulting to increased vulnerability, Chad has continued to host refugees from Central Africa republic and those from the Darfur conflict in Sudan, and its own IDPs resulting from internal conflict. This situation has led to the protracted humanitarian crisis in Chad. Refugees continue to depend on humanitarian aid while IDPs as well as their host community need support for better conditions of return and re-integration.

1.       Brief description of the emergency 

During the Darfur rebellion in Sudan (2003), there was heavy influx of refugees into Chad. Approximately, 288,000^[2] Sudanese refugees have since crossed into the eastern provinces of Chad. The Darfur crisis precipitated internal conflicts due to increased competition for scarce services and natural resources in the host communities in Chad. The increased internal conflicts and rebel attacks on villages led to internal displacement of Chadians starting at the end of 2005.  Since then the IDP population has grown to an estimated number of 181,000.

Since 2009 up to end of December 2011, 50,000 IDP’s have returned to their areas of origin and 131,000 still remain in IDP sites.^[3]

 Presidential elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2005 led to fights between government troops and rebels in the north of the country and resulted to a new wave of CAR refugees arriving in the southern part of Chad. Around 75,000 refugees from the CAR have settled in 11 camps in the southern and south-eastern provinces of Chad.^[4]

These conflicts and their impacts are closely linked to the endemic poverty in Chad.

IDPs are highly dependent on support for durable solutions that focus on return, local integration and relocation. Lack of basic social services and inadequate rule of law prevent many IDPs from returning, while many have expressed their wish to do so.

The CAR refugees in the south of Chad have been able to develop a certain level of food self-sufficiency through agricultural production on the allocated land, however, they remain dependent on international support for basic services.

The Sudanese refugees are totally dependent on international aid with hardly any alternative options for earning their livelihoods. Access to arable land is generally non-existent for the Sudanese refugees.

Gender-based violence remains a concern in the IDP sites and refugee camps. Traditions and cultural norms and practices are particularly harmful for women and girls. These include early marriage and female genital mutilation.

The humanitarian situation in Chad is one of a protracted and forgotten crisis with a great need for long term sustained humanitarian support for durable solutions to save lives and livelihoods.

2.       Impact

Presence of Refugees, IDPs and a vulnerable host community has resulted to increased humanitarian needs which have been aggravated by the 2011 Sahel drought in the region.

It is estimated that 3,811,000 people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in Chad in 2012.^[5] 

3.       National and international response

Chadian government approach is to encourage voluntary return.  In  2011 the government  called on agencies to no longer render assistance in IDP sites, and to only provide assistance when IDPs return to their villages of origin, integrate within the community where they presently are or when they want to install themselves anywhere else within Chad. The government, UN and NGOs have been in discussions regarding protection of civilians, durable solutions for return, humanitarian access and the need to link emergency interventions with long term development in Chad. This has led to a national strategy for durable solutions including a 3 year plan for the East Chad. The international community is requested to contribute towards the activities specified in the plan.

Due to continued insecurity from rebel groups and bandits operating around and across the Chadian border with the Central African Republic a return of the CAR refugees is not foreseen in 2012.

A possible return of the Sudanese refugees is being discussed in tri-partite meetings between the governments of Sudan and Chad and the UNHCR. Possible return depends very much on political solutions to the crisis in Darfur. The recent developments have caused uncertainty.  Until peace returns to Darfur continued assistance for the Sudanese refugees will be required. Through the CAP process the UN is requesting $ 455,173,291 for 2012.

UNHCR,UNDP, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA , OCHA and around 22 NGO’s ( UNHCR partners) will continue to assist the refugees and IDP populations in 2012 but with a clear shift to sustainable solutions for both the IDPs and CAR refugees.

With the closing of the MINURCAT mission on 31.12.2010 the Government of Chad has reiterated its commitment to assume full responsibility for security and humanitarian access through the Détachement Intégré de Securité (DIS- a special Chadian security force formed by the UN. NGO’s are represented in the Bureaux de Sécurisation et des Mouvements (BSM) where plans for convoys and other protection needs are discussed on a weekly basis. During 2011 the security situation has steadily improved although banditry remains a security threat.

Most of the areas are inaccessible during the rainy season, July to September.

4.       ACT Alliance response

Since 2007 ACT has continued to respond to the IDP needs at the Habile and Aradib sites near the town of Koukou.  Since 2010 the programme focused on return and early recovery in 4 villages of return.

Since 2008 to date, ACT has supported the CAR refugees in camps around the town of Maro (Moula and Yaroungou) as well as the host communities to improve their food security and general livelihoods.

In 2009 on a request by UNHCR LWF/ACT took on activities in the Gaga camp in the Ourara district and the Farcharna camp in the Assoungha district. In December 2011 UNHCR requested LWF to work in the two biggest Sudanese refugee camps Bredjing and Treguine.

LWF has signed 3 agreements with UNHCR for 2012 activities for: (1) construction of shelters for IDPs in their villages of return, (2) shelter construction and environmental/alternative energy sources for the Sudanese refugees and (3) agricultural activities for the CAR refugees.

As part of its partnership agreements with UNHCR, and the need for a holistic approach to cover basic humanitarian needs, LWF is planning the following activities under its ACT Alliance funding in 2012.

5.       Planned activities

• Assist the affected populations with psycho-social support and activities
• As part of Conflict prevention and Peace building efforts; assist the host communities with capacity building and construction of social infrastructure
• Environmental activities- use of improved fuel stoves, establishment of tree nurseries
• Improved livelihoods through agricultural support and Income Generating activities
• Sanitation activities- distribution of slabs for pit latrines

This year, ACT response will target 180,490 people including:  54,846 IDPs, 15,985 CAR refugees, 99,519 Sudanese refugees and 10,140 from host communities.

The Lutheran World Federation is the only implementing ACT member in Chad and the Country representative will continue to provide regular updates to the ACT Alliance.

(Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is present in the country since September 2010 but is not an implementing agency- they support LWF and other local partners in Chad)

A full appeal will be issued next week.  Regular updates on the drought situation will be communicated to the ACT Alliance.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, ACT Chief Finance Officer (jbi@actalliance.org)