* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Alert
CHAD
Assistance to improve the resilience and livelihood of CAR and Sudanese refugees and returnees, and host communities in Chad
Geneva, 15 January 2015
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
Chad is one of the poorest countries, ranking 184 out of 187 on the Human Development Index and 5th on the Fragile States Index . The country is affected by conflicts in neighboring countries, notably Central African Republic, Sudan, Nigeria and Libya. Since 2004, these conflicts have resulted in an increase of Chad’s refugee population to more than 460,000 refugees (367,000 Sudanese, 93,000 Central Africans) living in refugee camps in the east and south of the country . In late 2013, a massive repatriation of Chadians from CAR took place. A total of 114.000 persons returned back to Chad in 2014 - of which 61,000 are still living in in tents in transit and temporary sites .
The returnees and new refugee arrivals have put additional burdens on the host communities, who are already affected by the degradation of the environment caused by deforestation, over-exploitation of groundwater and pressure on scarce natural resources.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
The refugees and returnees situation in a context of extreme fragility and curtailed international support warrant Chad to be categorized as a forgotten crisis with continued potential for deterioration.
LWF/ACT humanitarian activities will continue to meet needs and contribute to durable solutions for resilience and self-reliance of affected populations in partnership with UNHCR. LWF /ACT is UNHCR’s main partner in Chad for 2015.
3. National and international response
The government of Chad was very active during the CAR crisis. It evacuated citizens from CAR, provided transit sites, as well as financial resources. Mid-term and long-term projects to assist the returnees are being prepared.
It is anticipated that 2.4 million people will be food insecure in 2015 of which 428,000 will be severely affected. In Chad, the humanitarian community capacity is limited and cannot meet the increasing humanitarian needs. Coordination is ensured via OCHA and the cluster system. In 2014, the SRP for Chad was only financed for 36%.
4. ACT Alliance response
Since 2007 the ACT Alliance, through its implementing member LWF, has responded to the humanitarian needs in Chad through annual appeals. In the light of the protracted crisis in Chad, livelihood projects will continue to be a key component in 2015 for LWF/ACT in coordination with DKH and will target host communities.
5. Planned activities
In partnership with UNHCR in 2015: (1) shelter, infrastructure, livelihood support and alternative energy sources (environment) for the Sudanese refugees in 7 camps; (2) livelihoods, environment, food and NFI for the CAR refugees in 5 camps; (3) vocational training programmes in 5 centers.
In addition, the ACT Appeal for 2015 will provide support with, preparedness, psychological first-aid, livelihood recovery, emergency shelter, NFI distribution and education. The proposed response will target 290,000 people, including 75,000 Central African refugees, 175,000 Sudanese refugees, 20,000 returnees and 20,000 from host communities. Funding requested from the ACT Alliance will be approximately 1 million USD, enabling a commitment to another year of continued partnership with UNHCR. LWF/ACT program in Chad is preparing a new appeal for 2015.
ACT members based in Chad are: Lutheran World Federation and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.
6. Constraints
• Political unrest in Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Libya and Sudan, resulting in further influxes of refugees to Chad increasing the burden on the host populations.
• Reduced funding for security operations in the country, resulting in difficult access to populations, particularly in the east.
• Reduced funding for humanitarian flight operations.
-----------------------------------
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to the Head of Finance Line Hempel (line.hempel@actalliance.org).
