1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
Chad has continued to host refugees from the Central African Republic and those from the Darfur conflict in Sudan, in addition to 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 former IDPs need support for better conditions for re-integration. Host communities are affected by the degradation of the environment caused by deforestation, over-exploitation of groundwater and pressure on scarce natural resources. Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked as number 183 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index. 64 % of the population lives below the national poverty line. It is estimated that 4.4 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in Chad in 2013.1
Due to continued insecurity from rebel groups operating in CAR and around its border with Chad a return of the CAR refugees residing in Chad is not foreseen in 2013.
A possible return of the Sudanese refugees is being discussed in tri-partite meetings between the governments of Sudan, Chad and the UNHCR. Possible return depends very much on political solutions to the crisis in Darfur.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
To contribute to international efforts towards meeting the basic humanitarian needs of refugees, IDPs and host communities in a holistic approach and in partnership with UNHCR in 2013. LWF /ACT is UNHCR’s main partner in Chad for 2013.
3. National and international response
LWF/ACT Chad is part of the OCHA CAP 2013 for immediate life-saving activities in the short term, combined with prevention, preparedness and recovery approaches that will help build resilience of affected people in the medium and long term.
4. ACT Alliance response
Since 2007 ACT has continued to respond to the humanitarian needs of refugees, IDPs and host community in Chad through annual appeals. The programme activities have continued to focus more on return and early recovery since 2010. 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. Due to repeated flooding the Yaroungou camp has been relocated to higher grounds close to the Moula camp- making one big camp with 17,000 refugees and a new name, ‘Bélom’. For 2013 UNHCR has requested LWF/ACT to partner in three other CAR refugee camps close to Goré with the same activities as in Bélom. LWF/ACT has been working with Sudanese refugees’ camps since 2009 to date.
5. Planned activities
In partnership with UNHCR in 2013: (1) shelter and basic infrastructure for IDPs in their villages of return, (2) shelter, Infrastructure, livelihood support and alternative energy sources (environment) for the Sudanese refugees and (3) livelihoods, environment, food and NFI for the CAR refugees. (4)
Vocational training.
In addition, the ACT appeal 2013 will provide support with: psycho-social, recovery of livelihoods, emergency shelter, NFIs and support to a health centre.
The proposed response will target 300,482 people including: 88,556 former IDPs, 50,419 CAR refugees (87% of total number of CAR refugees), 149,007 Sudanese refugees (52% of total number of Sudanese refugees) and 12,500 from host communities. Funding request to the ACT Alliance will be approximately $ 1.2 million which is a commitment to another year of continued partnership with UNHCR. LWF/ACT programme in Chad is preparing a new appeal for 2013.
6. Constraints
Political unrest in the Central African Republic and in Sudan, resulting in a new influx of refugees to Chad.
Reduced funding for security operations in the country.
Access challenges: Use of armed convoys in the East.
-----------------------------------Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, Director of Finance (jbi@actalliance.org)
For further information please contact:
ACT Senior Programme Officer, Katherine Ireri (phone +41 22 791 6040 or mobile phone +41 79 433 0592) or ACT Deputy General Secretary, Rebecca Larson (phone +41 22 791 6069 or mobile phone +41 79 376 1711)