Refugee families living in the Gaoui transit site, some ten kilometres northeast of the capital N'Djaména, now live in their own homes and support themselves through income-generating activities.
The Central African crisis that broke out in September 2013 in the Central African capital forced many families to flee to neighbouring Chad. As a result, Central African refugees and Chadian returnees have found refuge in the south of the country and in N’Djamena.
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.
Since their arrival in Chad, the aid (food, health, education, economic) allocated to the occupants of the Gaoui site was insufficient and irregular until ACTED's intervention. This economic support has allowed them to acquire greater autonomy.