Summary: In mid-July 2012, heavy rains started to affect families across Chad. As of 24 September, a total of 466,000 persons were affected in eight regions in central and southern Chad. The floods affected both rural and urban areas in the regions, causing damage to infrastructure, agriculture and homes. Approximately 54,689 hectares of agriculture was affected. The National Society, with its network of volunteers around the country responded through evacuation assistance, search and rescue and emergency assessments.
From its emergency stock, relief items such as tarpaulins, soap, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats and jerry cans were dispatched and distributed to 2,354 families (11,770 beneficiaries) in Rig Rig, Mangalmé and Goz Beida regions. A total of 75 volunteers were trained and subsequently conducted sessions raising awareness on water-borne diseases and hygiene promotion, reaching 3,109 families. The volunteers also distributed hygiene kits including detergent to 50 most vulnerable families highly exposed to water borne diseases in Mangalmé area.
In the capital, N’Djamena, 10 emergency latrines were constructed for use by over 700 people displaced by the overflow of the Chari River. Volunteers from the urban committee of the capital worked and supported non-Movement partners such as UNICEF in the installation of temporary camps, distribution of non food items (NFI), camp management as well as in hygiene promotion activities. This move was replicated in all affected areas where NGOs and government regularly requested support from RCC branches to reduce the suffering of affected persons. The IFRC Chad country office coordinated the response activities and advocated with local partners to promote the role of the National Society in the humanitarian response.
To date funding for the appeal has been received from Canadian Red Cross/Government, Netherlands Red Cross/Government, Japanese Red Cross Society and VERF/WHO Voluntary Emergency Relief. The IFRC, on behalf of the National Society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions. Donors are encouraged to continue to fund the appeal as needs remain urgent.