General data

ACF France's Mission

Launch date: 2004
Local staff : 308
Expatriates : 27

 

 

Country key figures

Population: 11,54 million of inhabitants (2010)
Life expectancy : 49,2 years (2010)
Human Development Indicator : 163rd in world ranking out of 169 (2010)
GDP per inhabitant : 400 USD (2005)

Sources : WHO, World Bank, UNDP

Context

For over two years, eastern Chad has had to confront the consequences of the emergency in Darfur, in neighbouring Sudan, which is still a major destabilizing factor : over 230 000 Sudanese have sought refuge in camps in Chad, joining the 150 000 displaced Chadians who have fled the violence in south-eastern Chad.
This enormous displaced population, which is practically destitute, survives precariously on very little food and in deplorable hygienic conditions. In the best case their flight enabled them to take cattle and harvested crops with them …
Access to water, food and hygiene is limited since the low yield of the fields surrounding the champs (for most farmers, land is hard to come by and expensive to rent) and the geographical situation does nothing to facilitate the provision of minimum resources. The few remaining provisions are shared between residents and refugees, reducing the normal three meals a day to one.

Despite all the efforts deployed, insecurity is still a major problem for the refugees as it is for aid workers. The action of aid organizations is made particularly difficult and the temporary suspending of activity due to insecurity is frequent. The risk of theft of cattle and/or equipment, as well as attacks, is high.
In western Chad, the Kanem region bordering Niger is considered one of the most vulnerable areas of the country. Located in the poor Sahel zone, the region is faced with a situation of high chronic malnutrition to which Action Contre la Faim will try to respond with an integrated curative approach (nutrition) and preventive (water, sanitation and food security).

ACF in Chad

ACF USA has been working in Chad since 2004 to ensure autonomy in food to refugees in the Darfur camps and improve hygiene. In July 2006, ACF France took over the mission and carried out a survey on vulnerability and Chadian population movements, while maintaining the provision of aid to the refugees. This has permitted the subsequent implementation of new aid programmes for displaced people.

Region of Dogdoré (south-eastern Chad)

Food security

• Distribution of non-food kits (plastic covers, blankets, jerrycans, soap)
• Distribution of vegetable seeds

Water and sanitation

• Installation and rehabilitation of water standpoints
• Rehabilitation and enlargement of water distribution systems
• Construction of latrines
• Promotion of hygiene

Region of Guereda, Iriba, Bahai (north-eastern Chad)

Food security

• Monitoring and evaluation of food distributions to refugees in 6 camps, follow-up and evaluation of the humanitarian situation in these camps and the response to needs.

Funding

ECHO, UNHCR, ELLE Foundation, private donations.