ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPATING IN CONSOLIDATED APPEALS DURING 2005:
AAH
ABS
ACF/ACH
ACTED
ADRA
Africare
Alisei
AMREF
ARC
Atlas Logistique
AVSI
CAM
CARE Int'l
CARITAS
CEASOP
CESVI
CIRID
COLFADHEMA
COMED
COOPI
CORDAID / CPA-LIRA
CPAR
CPCD
CRC
CREAF
CRS
DDG
DENAL
DRC
EMSF
ERM
FAO
Fondn. Suisse Déminage
GAA
GPI
HA
HABEN
Handicap Int'l
HDIG
HDO
HFe.V / HIA
Horn Relief
HWA
IFRC
ILO
IMC
INTERMON
INTERSOS
IOM
IRC
IRIN
Islamic Relief
JVSF
KOC
LIBA
LSTG
MAG
Mani Tese
MAT
MDA
NE / Non-Violence Int'l
NPA
NRC
OCHA
OCPH
OHCHR
Open Continent
Orphan's Aid
OXFAM-GB
PAPP
PIN
PRC
RUFOU
SBF
SCF / SC-UK
SCU
SERLO
SFP
Solidarités
TASO
TEARFUND / TEWPA
UNAIDS
UNDP
UNESCO
UNFPA
UN-HABITAT
UNHCR
UNICEF
UNIFEM
UNMAS
UNODC
UNRWA
UNSECOORD
VESTA
VETAID
WACRO
WANEP/APDH
WFP
WHO
WV Int'l
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Executive summary
2.Changes in the context and humanitarian consequences
3.Review of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan
3.1Summary
3.1.AImpact of Funding Levels on CHAP Implementation:
3.2Scenarios:
3.3Strategic Priorities:
3.4Response Plans:
3.4.AAgriculture and, Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
3.4.BCoordination and Support Services
3.4.CEnvironment
3.4.DEducation
3.4.EFamily Shelter and Non-Food Items
3.4.FFood
3.4.GHealth
3.4.HMine Action
3.4.IProtection and Human Rights
3.4.JMulti sector, Assistance to Refugees
3.4.KSecurity
3.4.LWater and Sanitation
4.projectsAND BUDGET
5.Conclusion
PROJECTS
EDUCATION
MULTI SECTOR
ANNEX I. TABLE I. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
BY APPEALING ORGANISATION AND BY SECTOR
ANNEX II. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
1
CHAD
1.Executive summary
The period following the launch of the Consolidated Appeal for 2005 has been marked by increased pressure from government authorities on humanitarian agencies in country to boost assistance for host populations in Chad. The prolonged presence of Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad - one the most inhospitable, fragile and dry environments on earth - has indeed further strained local populations’ already tenuous coping mechanisms. Following violent incidents in several refugee camps, humanitarian operations were temporarily suspended for few days in May. This violence highlighted the volatility of the security situation and raised concerns of the humanitarian community.
The on-going deterioration of host communities’ living conditions has long been a major concern for the humanitarian community.[1] Competition for scarce natural resources has led to increase tensions between refugees and local populations.[2]United Nations (UN) Agencies and implementing partners have hence progressively adapted their response strategy in order to include host populations: the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) launched small-scale rapid impact projects (PIR), the World Food Programme (WFP) plans to assist an estimated 150,000 Chadians following the revision of its current emergency operation.
In eastern Chad, Sudanese refugees (around 200,000) are hosted in 12 camps[3] spread over a 700-kilometre (km) border. Two additional settlements in the South of Chad host an estimated 30,000 refugees. A new influx of Central African refugees in the south was recently being reported, due to renewed violence and instability in northern Central African Republic (CAR). In all camps, UN agencies and their partners keep working in order to meet minimal standards in the provision of water, health and nutrition to the refugee population. Despite an overall improvement of the situation of refugees, including in the sectors of health and nutrition needs remain acute. In the absence of possible alternative survival strategies refugees continue to depend on outside assistance.
As insecurity in Darfur continues, possible scenarios considered in the contingency plan, including a potential additional influx of Sudanese refugees, remain valid. WFP foresees the possibility to assist an additional 150,000 Sudanese refugees in case the situation in Darfur further deteriorates.
The logistical challenges of humanitarian operations in the remote and desert Eastern Chad are enormous. They are further exacerbated by the poor level of existing infrastructure in the region. This leads to a considerable increase of costs of humanitarian operations.
The Mid-Year Review (MYR) strives to reflect these trends. In addition to assistance to refugees, it foresees significant additional financial requirements in order to address needs of host populations and to provide agencies the ability to react adequately to a possible further deterioration of the situation in Darfur, including a massive influx of refugees in eastern Chad. It also anticipates an increase in operational costs, given the difficulties to reach populations in need in the particularly harsh and under-developed Eastern-Chad environment. The CAP 2005 for Chad encompassed 65 projects in 12 sectors. In order to address the urgent protection and assist needs of 300,000 people for the rest of the year, financial requirements have been revised to US$ 223,881,823. With the donor response standing at US$ 60 million as of 10 June 2005, requirements for the remainder of 2005 total US $163,963,164.
2.Changes in the context and humanitarian consequences
The years 2003 and 2004 had been marked by an influx of about 200,000 Sudanese refugees from Darfur in eastern Chad. Though isolated arrivals of new refugees have occasionally been reported during the past six months, there has been no significant increase in the number of refugees. Similarly, although Sudanese refugees generally express a willingness to return to their place of origin, as of today the volatile security situation in Darfur prevent any large-scale return[4] (few isolated returns to Sudan have actually been reported).
Chad remains one of least developed and poorest country in the world.[5] Worrisome humanitarian indicators such as under-five mortality (200/1,000), maternal mortality (830/100,000), malnutrition rates (moderate & severe: 28%; severe: 3.5%), and life expectancy at 44,7 years highlight the difficult context in which the refugee crisis occurred.[6]The influx of refugees weighs heavily on eastern Chad populations and fragile environment, characterised by poor infrastructure and absence of basic social services. In addition to on-going insecurity in the region, which directly affects rural activities in Chad, overuse of arable areas (in particular in the ouadis), the loss of fields to host refugees camps[7], and the high demographic growth increased pressure on food stocks and natural resources of host populations and made them more vulnerable and food insecure. The situation resulted in growing inflation and food deficit in some areas where crops used to exceed requirements. The arrival of non-immunised livestock[8] in Chad increased risks of diseases. Competition for water, firewood and grazing land and roaming livestock that destroy fields have led to increased tensions between refugees and host populations. While assessment missions led in eastern Chad at the end of 2004 revealed that the health and nutritional condition of refugees had largely improved since June 2004, they also concluded that the local population had become ‘as vulnerable as the refugees as a result of a poor agricultural season.’[9]As an additional factor compounding the crisis, the on-going exhaustion of natural resources raises major environmental concerns.
In early May, UNHCR opened a 12th camp, named Gaga, in order to face overcrowding and lack of water resources in central eastern Chad camps. As of 10 June, 3,942 refugees have already been transferred from the border areas and Bredjing camp to Gaga. UNHCR will proceed to the transfer of additional refugees from the border areas and from two other camps (Farchana, and Djabal) once the infrastructure will have been put in place (tents, water and sanitation facilities, clinics, etc.). The plan is to relocate a total of 15,000 refugees to Gaga.
Re-registration exercises that UNHCR carried out in April and May showed that eastern Chad currently hosts an estimated 193,300 refugees.[10] Unfortunately, violent incidents, which the re-registration generated in refugee camps, did not allow the completion of the exercise. Incidents forced humanitarian agencies to suspend their activities for several days in the camps of Touloum and Iridimi, and for precautionary measures in Mile and Kounoungo. As of 10 June, humanitarian assistance has resumed normally in Iridimi, Kounoungo and Mile following the signature by refugees and Chadian authorities/humanitarian actors of agreements for the completion of the re-registration and the recognition of the Government of Chad’s authority over the camps. The situation in Touloum remains in a stalemate. Violent incidents also occurred in the camp of Am Nabak, in May, following alleged mishandling in the distribution of plastic sheeting. As a result, two refugees and one gendarme were killed. These incidents highlight the deterioration of the security situation in refugee camps. Discussions with local authorities to address this issue are in progress.
The volatility of Chad-Sudan relations is arising as an additional source of concerns. In April, Chadian authorities accused the Sudanese government of hosting 3,000 Chadian rebels and to attempt destabilising the country. As a result, the Chadian government suspended temporarily its mediation between Darfur rebel groups and Sudanese authorities. Though relations between the two countries have since cooled down, military presence in eastern Chad has reportedly increased, raising concerns of humanitarian agencies operating in that part of the country.
3.Review of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan
3.1Summary
Though the situation of Sudanese refugees has stabilised, their continuous presence further strain already fragile coping mechanisms of local populations and heavily weighs on eastern Chad hostile and poor environment. Over the past 6 months government authorities have been increasing pressure on humanitarian agencies to boost assistance for Chadian host communities.
UN agencies have progressively started addressing the needs of local populations. UNHCR has decided to allocate part of its resources for projects geared towards host populations and launched a programme for small-scale PIRs[11]. Similarly, WFP has increased food assistance to local populations, targeting particularly vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly. WFP also initiated several food-for-work schemes with its partners in order to build local assets and infrastructure. During the supplementary measles and polio vaccination campaigns, children in host communities were vaccinated. As of today, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports five Therapeutic Feeding Centres (TFCs) in host communities, as well as schools, and is expected to expand its assistance to local populations in this field. Besides, UNICEF is constructing 20 wells in the host communities of Djabal and Goz Amer and implements hygiene promotion programmes. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is preparing to assist host families with essential agricultural inputs[12] and to vaccinate part of livestock against telluric diseases and to reinforce and optimise emergency operations and agricultural rehabilitation.
As the implementation of humanitarian programmes progresses, important challenges remain. Lessons learned from previous years continue to be of relevance in maintaining a close and constructive relationship with the host government. They also help manage a common UN/Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)/Donors/Government information service and keep the aid community informed on activities, plans, issues of common concern, priorities and response strategies, progress made and recommendations for action.
3.1.AImpact of Funding Levels on CHAP Implementation
As of 10 June, the Consolidated Appeal 2005 (US$ 223 million) is 27% funded. Agencies have been prompted to revise or sensitise donors on their appealing figures in order to address humanitarian needs in Chad.
On 12 April, WFP appealed for US$ 87 million in food aid to cover refugees’ needs until the end of next year, including sufficient delivery of stocks to camps ahead of the rainy season.[13] WFP also appealed for an additional US$ 7 million to maintain the vital air service that transports humanitarian personnel and material between N’Djaména and Abéché, and to airstrips near the refugee camps in eastern and southern Chad. With the refugee population settled in camps strung out along a
700-kilometre strip in eastern Chad, and given the poor transport infrastructure, the air link turns essential at the height of the rainy season.
On 11 April, UNHCR released a supplementary appeal with the aim of further strengthening its protection activities in Eastern Chad and Darfur (US$ 81,225,813 has been budgeted for Eastern Chad). UNHCR will continue its efforts to meet basic humanitarian standards through a combination of protection monitoring and multi-sectoral assistance. UNHCR will also strive to ensure that refugee camps maintain their civilian character.
The FAO is planning to set up a Coordination Unit for Emergency Projects and Agricultural Rehabilitation, as requested in the current Consolidated Appeal. The organisation submitted supplementary projects to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Office for the United States Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and to the European Union (EU). The implementation of this plan will permit the reinforcement of the Abéché sub-office. It will also allow setting up a linkage of cooperation between line ministries delegations and the central administrations, NGOs, and other international organisations.
3.2Scenarios
CHAP planning scenarios as included in the 2005 Consolidated Appeal remain valid:
Best-case scenario
The conflict in Darfur is settled. Peace is signed between the Sudanese Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) rebel movements. Sudanese refugees return to their places of origin.
Most realistic scenario
The situation in Darfur continues to be unstable and the number of refugees increases.[14] Given the persisting insecurity in Sudan, refugees are unable to return to their place of origin. Issues raised by their likely long-term presence in Chad must be addressed. Tensions between the local population and refugees derive into security incidents. Increased assistance to host populations is required.
Worst scenario
As the situation in Darfur keeps impacting on neighbouring Chad, including new influx of refugees, the internal situation deteriorates. Political instability leads to a conflict in Chad and generates population and refugee displacements. Humanitarian agencies operate in a reduced humanitarian space.[15]
3.3Strategic Priorities
The CAP 2005 strategic priorities for the humanitarian response remain valid:
- Reduce tensions between host populations and refugees;
- Cover basic needs of refugees;
- Cover basic needs of local populations affected by the influx of refugees.
UN agencies and their partners will keep focusing on strategic priorities defined in the CAP 2005 to address the on-going crisis. Assistance in the sector of food, health and education is already being provided to both refugees and host communities. However, given the destitute state of Chadian populations in areas affected by the refugee crisis, as well as the increasing pressure of Chadian authorities for more assistance to host populations, an increase of the cost of humanitarian operations is foreseen.
3.4Response Plans
3.4.AAgriculture and, Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
Food security conditions of host communities have seriously been affected by the refugee crisis. They have further been compounded by the drought in 2004 and the locusts’ invasion—leading around one million animals to search for other agricultural areas after destruction of fields. Host communities, who shared their scarce resources with Sudanese refugees at the beginning of the crisis, no longer have seeds for the next agricultural campaign.[16]
Priority must be given to the improvement of food security and income generating activities for host communities through the distribution of seeds and tools. Securing gardening and livestock, through the development of vaccination programmes against telluric diseases, is of utmost importance. Finally, income-generating activities for the rehabilitation of women and youth must be given special attention. In that line, upcoming FAO activities will include the provision of food crops seeds to compensate the current gap and increase yields of next campaign; the provision of gardening seeds and tools to support local populations in increasing their income and diversify their food baskets; the immunisation of livestock against telluric diseases; the management in a sustainable way of natural resources; and the coordination of agricultural, forestry and pastoral activities.
To support the local population, WFP will participate in implementing a seed protection programme by providing food assistance to local farmers. The project has not started yet due to FAO lack of resources for this programme. UN agencies and partners are exploring alternative solutions to ensure the immediate purchase of necessary seeds. FAO is currently supporting Chadian authorities in addressing the locusts’ invasion.
Since their access to fertile land and water remains limited, refugees in eastern Chad cannot be expected to increase self-reliance through agricultural activities. Besides, making land available for refugees would conflict with the needs of local populations. Therefore, WFP’s priorities remain twofold: to support the local population with income generating activities; to continue providing full food rations to refugees.
In order to strengthen the self-reliance of more than 30,000 CAR refugees in southern Chad, WFP plans to reinforce its support to agricultural production for those who are farmers and to promote income-generating activities for others. These activities will include rehabilitation of basic infrastructures and environmental preservation.
3.4.BCoordination and Support Services
With a permanent in-country presence since 2005, the objective of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to support the Humanitarian Coordinator in its coordinating role of the humanitarian response to the crisis. Currently based in N’Djamena, OCHA staff regularly travels to Abéché to take part in Coordination meetings and to liase with UN agencies and NGOs. OCHA focuses on the coordination of assistance to local populations and endeavours to ensure that needs of both refugees and host communities are addressed. With that aim OCHA is currently building a database of projects for host populations. An assessment mission was conducted in September 2004 to identify needs of host communities in the eastern part of the country. The Humanitarian Coordinator, with the support of OCHA, is striving to implement an information centre where relevant data would be made accessible to the humanitarian community.