N’Djamena: Towards the Socio-Economic Integration of Central African Refugees

• Many families of Central African origin were displaced in Chad following violent clashes that broke out in Bangui in 2013.
• With the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), ACTED is helping refugees living on the Gaoui site, located about ten kilometres northeast of the capital N’Djaména, to settle in the city.
• The targeted people received housing assistance and financial support to start an economic activity. It will allow them to support themselves and their families.

In N’Djamena, Central African refugees have settled on the Gaoui site, formerly known as the “Zarfaye” camp. The site, supposedly only temporary, still exists 3 years after its opening. It is here that Central African refugees and Chadian returnees live together in often deplorable living conditions.

In N’Djaména, ACTED supported 460 refugees in their social and economic integration. ACTED also provided six month’s of rent support giving refugees options as to where they chose to live. ACTED also provided a range of additional activities aimed at integrating refugees into their host communities. These included: drama workshops and training in locally-relevant work skills. On the economic level, ACTED assisted the refugees in setting up or strengthening income-generating activities chosen according to their wishes and available funds.

• Thanks to ACTED’s financial support, in sectors as varied as catering, trade, handicrafts and sewing, the refugee population is more autonomous.
• While the income generated by these activities may not be sufficient to support them, they nevertheless offer much appreciated help to families wishing to take control of their destiny and improve their living conditions.