2010 UNHCR country operations profile - Chad

Working environment

The context

Chad continues to host nearly 270,000 Sudanese refugees in the east and 57,000 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) in the south. Chad has always maintained a constructive attitude towards asylum.

The humanitarian situation in Chad is expected to remain precarious in 2010. An increase in banditry targeting both the local population, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and humanitarian workers, coupled with a resurgence of armed conflict and inter-ethnic strife, has led the UN to restrict staff movements to and from the refugee camps.

With the likelihood of continued conflict in Darfur, there are no prospects of voluntary repatriation from eastern Chad for the Sudanese refugees. The presence of a large refugee population is having a growing impact on the socio-economic situation and the depletion of natural resources. Likewise, lack of security in northern CAR makes the voluntary repatriation of refugees from the country now living in southern Chad unlikely. With regard to IDPs, the Office will continue to work under the inter-agency cluster approach and provide protection and assistance pending their return to the villages of origin.

The needs

The latest nutritional survey in all refugee camps in the east showed the average acute malnutrition rate to be around 12 per cent. This means that food security remains fragile and that the refugees require continued international support. In southern Chad, UNHCR is working to reduce the dependence of refugees on food aid by helping them to improve agricultural production.

Medical services and general health conditions in the camps are acceptable. The quality of primary health care provided to the Sudanese refugees has improved. Major health care priorities are the distribution of mosquito nets and the introduction of hygienic practices among the population. UNHCR will strengthen reproductive health programmes in all the camps in eastern Chad.

The supply of drinking water in the camps in the east is below international norms. Since water is a source of tension between the refugees and host communities, the infrastructure put in place for the refugees will also need to benefit the local population. Seven camps out of 12 lack enough latrines, creating protection risks for women and children. UNHCR will work with the refugees on the construction of additional latrines.

School enrolment rates in the eastern camps remain high, at almost 80 per cent. The school attendance rate for girls has increased significantly, to almost 50 per cent, even in the higher grades. UNHCR is committed to expanding access to secondary education so as to provide an alternative for those who would otherwise be at risk of recruitment as child soldiers.

Main objectives

Favourable protection environment

• Ensure the protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs), while facilitating return to areas deemed safe.

• Support the Government to play a greater role in the management of the refugee and IDP programmes.

Security from violence and exploitation

• Promote security and strengthen the protection of Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad while increasing their self-reliance.

Community participation and self-management

• Increase the self-sufficiency of the Central African refugees in the south.

Durable solutions

• Enhance resettlement as a protection tool.

Key targets for 2010

• The civilian and humanitarian character of refugee and IDPs camps is preserved.

• All registered refugees receive identity documents.

• Special measures are in place to protect and assist victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

• The supply of non-food items is increased to address unmet needs in the camps.

• Refugee and host communities play a greater role in programme implementation.

• Up to 5,000 resettlement cases are processed.

Strategy and activities

Following five years of intermittent emergencies in eastern Chad, in 2010 UNHCR will aim to improve the sustainability of the camps and increase the self-reliance of refugees. UNHCR will establish partnerships with the Government and UN agencies to preserve the civilian and humanitarian character of the camps and prevent child recruitment. The Office will work with development actors in the areas of water, sanitation, health, forestry and the environment.

In southern Chad, UNHCR will support the self-sufficiency of the refugees as a means towards their socio-economic integration. It will also assist refugees and local communities in the management of services for both groups. In addition, UNHCR will strengthen its efforts to identify refugees in need of resettlement.

Using a comprehensive solutions approach, the Office will identify people with specific needs for resettlement among the urban refugee population in N'Djamena. At the same time, it will help individuals wishing to repatriate or integrate locally.

As regards the IDP population in eastern Chad, UNHCR will support voluntary return to places of origin and relocation to alternative sites. The Office will encourage the Government to assume greater responsibility in providing solutions for and support to its own people, especially in the areas of conflict resolution and inter-community dialogue. While significant return movements are expected in 2010, the majority of people are not expected to return until the situation improves.

Constraints

The situation in eastern Chad, and across the border in Darfur, is expected to remain unpredictable and potentially dangerous. This will continue to be a source of concern, both for the refugees and for humanitarian workers operating in the camps. It is hoped that the presence of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) will help stabilize the situation in and around the camps.

The stabilization and socio-economic integration of refugees in the camps will continue. Refugees will still require food aid to avoid malnutrition. A major challenge will be to maintain the civilian and humanitarian character of the camps and sites despite infiltration by armed groups, forced recruitment and the limited national capacity to uphold law and order.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

The Office participates in regular meetings at the country and regional levels with the local authorities, NGOs, MINURCAT, UN agencies and beneficiaries.

Financial information

The budget for the protection and assistance of refugees has remained stable since 2006, although the number of refugees has steadily increased. The budget for IDPs increased from 2006 to 2008, but decreased again in 2009 due to changes in the number of IDPs.

The 2010 budget for Chad increased to USD 161 million, a 56 per cent increase over the 2009 budget. The increase will help meet the assessed needs in health, water and sanitation, and expand self-reliance programmes. The larger budget will also raise the standards of international protection in Chad.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2010-2011