Home > Where We Work > Africa > East and Horn of Africa > Chad
Chad 
2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Chad
Working environment
The context
A strengthening of relations between Chad and the Sudan in early 2010 has led to a dramatic improvement in security in eastern Chad. The deployment of a joint Chadian-Sudanese border monitoring force has largely prevented cross-border incursions by rebel groups from either side. However, the majority of the 264,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad are reluctant to return home owing to the continuing instability in Darfur.
Furthermore, with the political situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) still volatile, some 64,000 refugees from that country see little prospect for return. Indeed, UNHCR has had to relocate one refugee camp, Daha, away from the border to ensure the refugees' safety.
Some 130,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are also in need of protection in Chad. UNHCR continues to monitor the 50,000 IDPs who have returned to their areas of origin in 2011. Returning IDPs are being escorted to their villages and receive reintegration packages. UNHCR is also providing regular assistance to those who have not yet returned home.
The needs
The working environment in Chad is extremely challenging due to the lack of local infrastructure and the scarcity of natural resources, particularly in the east. Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the presence of large numbers of refugees exacerbates the pressure on natural resources. Measures to reduce this pressure are therefore indispensable. While no large-scale influxes are expected, refugee populations continue to grow due to the natural birth rate, and given the restricted opportunities for voluntary repatriation, total refugee numbers remain high.
Assuring the security of refugees, IDPs, and humanitarian workers in Chad will remain a priority in 2012. Despite the overall improvement in security in eastern Chad in 2011, localized incidents of banditry remain a problem. In 2011, the United Nations-supported Chadian security force, Détachement Intégré de Sécurité (DIS), has been instrumental in ensuring security in and around refugee camps and protecting convoys of returning IDPs. Since the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Chad and in the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) in 2010, the presence of DIS has been essential in order to generate respect for the rule of law, prevent the recruitment of children into armed groups, and reduce the number of incidents of sexual and gender-based violence in and around refugee camps.
The search for durable solutions for refugees and IDPs remains one of the main priorities for UNHCR in Chad. However, since prospects for the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese and CAR refugees are bleak for the time being, and the number of resettled refugees remains low, the provision of life-saving food, water, health services and sanitation continues to be essential, especially in eastern Chad. In southern Chad, UNHCR is focusing on improving self-reliance and livelihoods. The provision of education, meanwhile, is proving to be of critical importance in protecting youths from forced recruitment and in preventing early marriage among girls.
| UNHCR 2012-2013 planning figures for Chad | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYPE OF POPULATION | ORIGIN | JAN 2012 | DEC 2012 - JAN 2013 | DEC 2013 | |||
| TOTAL IN COUNTRY | OF WHOM ASSISTED BY UNHCR |
TOTAL IN COUNTRY | OF WHOM ASSISTED BY UNHCR |
TOTAL IN COUNTRY | OF WHOM ASSISTED BY UNHCR |
||
| Total | 548,400 | 529,400 | 495,450 | 490,450 | 401,550 | 396,550 | |
| Refugees | Central African Rep. | 75,000 | 70,000 | 79,000 | 74,000 | 83,000 | 78,000 |
| Sudan | 288,000 | 274,000 | 281,000 | 281,000 | 253,000 | 253,000 | |
| Various | 300 | 300 | 400 | 400 | 500 | 500 | |
| Asylum-seekers | Various | 100 | 100 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Returnees (refugees) | Chad | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| IDPs | Chad | 130,000 | 130,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Returnees (IDPs) | Chad | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
Main objectives and targets for 2012
Favourable protection environment
Laws and policies are developed and strengthened.
- Some 50 per cent of laws and policies related to refugees are consistent with international standards.
- Some 60 per cent of laws and policies related to IDPs are consistent with international standards.
Fair protection processes and documentation
The standard of registration and profiling is improved or maintained.
- All members of the population of concern are registered on an individual basis.
Civil-registration and civil-status documentation is strengthened.
- Some 85 per cent of children under 12 months of age have been issued with birth certificates by the authorities.
Security from violence and exploitation
The protection of children is strengthened.
- At least 50 per cent of adolescents participate in targeted programmes arranged by UNHCR or its partners.
- All identified unaccompanied or separated children have access to Best Interest Determination (BID) procedures.
The risk of sexual and gender-based violence is reduced and the quality of the response to it is improved.
- All survivors of sexual violence identified receive material assistance and legal support.
Basic needs and services
Refugees have optimal access to education.
- Some 95 per cent of Sudanese refugees aged between 6 and 11 years are enrolled in primary education.
The nutritional well-being of the population of concern is improved.
- The prevalence of global acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months is reduced to 4 per cent.
The supply of potable water is increased or maintained.
- An average of 19 litres of potable water per person per day is available for the majority of refugees.
The health status of the population is improved.
- All people of concern have access to primary health care.
- The under-five mortality rate is less than 0.6 deaths/1000/month.
The population of concern has sufficient supplies of basic and domestic items.
- All women receive sanitary supplies.
Shelters and infrastructure are established, improved or maintained.
- More than half of households live in adequate dwellings.
Durable solutions
The potential for resettlement is realized.
- The majority of CAR refugees submitted for resettlement depart for third countries.
Strategy and activities in 2012
In 2012 and 2013, UNHCR will promote the security of Sudanese refugees while ensuring that their basic needs are met, particularly with regard to potable water and health care. With the prospects for repatriation in 2012 looking unlikely for Sudanese refugees, UNHCR will continue to promote self-reliance and livelihood activities among them.
Amidst continuing instability in the Central African Republic, UNHCR will focus on ensuring that Central African refugees benefit from improved self-reliance and livelihood activities in 2012-2013. Together with national and international NGO partners, UNHCR aims to help these refugees become more self-reliant, with livelihood activities and microfinance schemes targeting the most vulnerable. UNHCR will continue to pursue the resettlement of the most vulnerable Central African refugees.
Where appropriate, refugees in urban areas will be helped with education programmes and small cash grants.
UNHCR will continue to protect IDPs, including the 130,000 who remain displaced, as well as to monitor those who have returned or will do so in 2012. It will advocate that the Government take the lead in reintegration efforts, particularly by enhancing security and providing basic social services in areas of return.
Since malnutrition remains a problem among refugees in Chad, current programmes to combat malnutrition will continue into 2012. In addition, UNHCR will implement programmes to prevent HIV and AIDS, including through the training of medical staff and sensitization campaigns.
Access to primary and secondary education for the refugees will remain a top priority in 2012-2013. Activities here will include the construction of classrooms, as well as training of teachers.
To ease the pressure on natural resources, UNHCR will ensure access to domestic energy, whilst continuing to provide more solar cookers and improved stoves to reduce the consumption of firewood. For reforestation programmes, UNHCR will provide tools and seeds to refugees.
Constraints
The security situation in northern CAR remains unpredictable, and therefore small inflows of refugees into southern Chad are expected in 2012. Meanwhile, the volatile situation in Darfur continues to limit the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees. Many IDPs cite lack of existing infrastructure and insecurity in areas of return as reasons for preferring to remain on IDP sites for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the challenging natural environment poses problems for supplying drinking water to refugees in the east, increasing the risk of disease in camps.
Organization and implementation
Coordination
UN joint programming will be reinforced in 2012, particularly with WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA. UNHCR will continue its strong relationship with development agencies such as the Agence française de coopération, the European Union and UNDP. Close relations and cooperation will be developed with national ministries, in particular those dealing with water, the environment and education. Partnership agreements with national and international NGOs will be renewed and strengthened.
Financial information
UNHCR's budget has risen steadily since 2007 owing to the rise in the number of Sudanese and CAR refugees. The increase in the refugee population has been the result of small influxes, as well as high birth rates in camps. The 2012 comprehensive needs have been estimated at USD 176.9 million, of which USD 159. 4 million are for refugee requirements and USD 17.5 million to cover the protection and assistance of IDPs.
Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013
