Chad

2.1 million people suffering from severe food insecurity

520,129 refugees

30% of access to safe drinking water

218,816 people helped

The Sahelian belt of Chad is hit by recurring food crises, particularly in the Batha region, where SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL intervenes and which suffers from a severe rainfall deficit.

This shortage of rainfall and subsequent droughts lead to a drastic decrease in agricultural production, thus impacting the population’s sources of income. Their recurrence affects the capacity of the populations to adapt, reducing their self-sufficiency, especially for the poorest households. As the majority of the residents of Batha live solely from farming or cattle-raising, they remain highly dependent on climate. In order to cope with these chronic droughts, they have no other solution than to go into debt. As a result, grain prices rise, contributing to the vicious circle of food insecurity and child malnutrition. The already low production is further reduced by violent insect attacks.

This situation is exacerbated by a low level of development and a widespread economic crisis throughout the country. The deterioration of social cohesion and inter-community conflicts in agropastoral areas and localities hosting displaced persons is a major security risk. In addition, the presence of displaced persons creates an additional demand on the already limited resources, resulting in tensions with the host communities.

The nutritional situation is also a source of concern as surveys conducted between 2015 and 2018 report that the nutritional needs of children remain very high.

The needs of the populations in these regions are many, starting from the need for clean water, access to shelter, to nutrition.

15,95 million inhabitants
46.7% poverty rate
187th out of 189 on the Human Development Index

Mission
opened in 2008
Team 4 international staff
51 national staff
Budget 1,930,795€

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is present in Chad with a coordination base in N’djamena and a field base in Goré. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL provides support to the most vulnerable populations living mainly from farming and cattle raising, which have been declining in recent years. In order to address the lack of income affecting them and the high rates of malnutrition recorded in the region, our teams work to optimize management of resources. They are implementing risk reduction activities to prepare populations for natural disasters and help them become more resilient to climate hazards. In order to respond to peaks of vulnerability during the lean season (the period between harvests that lasts from May to August), SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL implements seasonal responses mainly with support in cash.
With the aim of stabilizing and empowering populations, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL develops economic and employment opportunities to give them the means to achieve economic self-sufficiency and nutritional food security through income generating activities. To act directly on malnutrition, our teams distribute therapeutic food to children under 5 years of age and conduct awareness campaigns on good nutrition and hygiene practices. Addressing the constant need for water in the context of drought, our teams focus on the rehabilitation of water points and community water management. In this way, they limit the exposure of populations to unsafe water and contribute to the fight against malnutrition. Faced with the resurgence of cases of cholera, which are fueled by poor access to water, hygiene and sanitation, SOLIDARITÉS INERNATIONAL is deploying health-related Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities as part of an integrated intervention approach, in partnership with a health actor.

Partners

EuropeAid, SDC, Caritas

Food security and nutrition

Approximately 60,000 beneficiaries

– Unconditional and conditional cash transfers, contribution to USR (Unified Social Register)
– Screening and referral of severe child malnutrition cases
– Distribution of non food item (NFI)/WASH kits as part of the treatment of severe acute malnutrition
– Prevention of infant and maternal malnutrition (distribution of nutritional supplements, communication for behavior change in the area of food and nutrition, promotion and sensitization to the use of Moringa in the communities, nutrition awareness)
– Creation and implementation of a community-based early warning and emergency response system, community action plan, support to cereal and cattle feed banks, etc.

Community resilience and empowerment

Approximately 100,000 beneficiaries

– Support for access to social protection mechanisms
– Support for small-scale breeding (pastoral inputs, distribution of small ruminants, training, etc.)
– Agro-pastoral revival, distribution of inputs or organization of agricultural fairs and support to productive community projects (hydro-agricultural developments facilities)
– Support to the development of income generating activities and to the development of village savings and loan associations (VSLA) and market gardening groups

Should you have any questions, please contact Emmanuel Rinck