Capitalizing on experience in the eastern part of the country to build a more global approach to problems faced in Chad: implementing responses adapted to different contexts and diverse needs

ACTED first launched its multisectoral intervention in Chad at the end of 2004. First centred on an emergency response to the massive influx of Sudanese refugees into the country from the crisis in Greater Darfur, ACTED has launched a parallel and later joint response to the problems faced by host communities with new areas and sectors of intervention, i.e. water and sanitation, food security, cash provision and the environment.

Since 2008, ACTED further diversified its approach and target areas in order to respond to the needs of a new community: the families of rural Abéché in need of assistance in the sectors of food security, water and sanitation.     

ACTED in Chad developed activities focused on local populations’ living conditions through the improvement of rural community-based infrastructures, a response to WATSAN needs as well as hygiene promotion and food security in Ouara district, where access to water is very limited.

In 2009, ACTED launched programmes based in Gore, Southern Chad, to meet local populations’ and Central African refugees’ needs in term of hygiene promotion, community mobilisation and organization, and road access. ACTED is capitalizing on its experience and knowledge in the areas of emergency aid, food security, water and sanitation and the rehabilitation of infrastructure and intervene to support the refugees and host communities living in the South of the country.

ACTED also continues to support Sudanese refugees in the camp of Oure Cassoni.

Promoting autonomy for Sudanese refugee populations within a context of emergency

After four years of experience in the refugee camp of Ouré Cassoni, ACTED continues to provide support to Sudanese refugee populations in Chad and adapted it for there is still no perspective of return in the short to middle term. ACTED’s interventions aim at strengthening their means of subsistence, while also trying to mitigate the deleterious impact of their presence on the environment. Activities include distribution of food and non-food items, prevention and care of malnutrition among refugee and host populations between the ages of 6 and 59 months and protection of the environment. Livelihood support activities include promotion of more autonomous food security by encouraging market gardening and permaculture, support to breeding and animal health and the development of income-generating activities.

ACTED intends to continue and build upon its activities in Ouré Cassoni, while also improving the quality of its interventions in the key areas of nutrition and distribution of essential items. ACTED will also work to further expand activities relating to permaculture, market gardenings and income-generating activities, as well as develop innovative activities and solutions for the environment and prevention of desertification.