Appeal

Chad

IDPs in Eastern Chad - AFCH71

Appeal Target: US$ 1,950,070

Geneva, 4 July 2007 (issued 29 June 2007)

Following the recommendations of an assessment mission to the region in May/June, members of ACT International are beginning an emergency relief operation in eastern Chad near Koukou, in the conflict-affected region bordering Darfur, Sudan. The area is heavily impacted by large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled cross-border violence spilling over from Darfur. Many people are now facing a deplorable health and sanitation situation which will get worse with the oncoming rainy season from June to September. Aside from the chronic poverty and under-development that marks life for most Chadians, there are three groups of displaced persons currently in Chad.

The Darfuri refugees, the majority of whom fled Sudan in 2003-04, and who currently reside in refugee camps in eastern Chad, receive support through a fairly well established assistance programme. The Central African Republic refugees, less in number at 40,000 in southern Chad, are also considered by the UN as a population whose needs relate primarily to integration and long-term development. The third group consists of IDPs affected by the conflict that is spilling over from Darfur. The ACT response will concentrate on the third group and will start by focusing on the sites of Habile and Aradib around Koukou in the Dar Sila district. These sites were identified by the ACT assessment team in discussions with OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, the ICRC, CRS, Oxfam, InterSOS, COOPI, Concern, and HIAS and local churches as those most acutely in need, vulnerable and lacking in humanitarian support . Sites around Koukou, one and a half hours drive South East from Goz Beida, suffer from an complete absence of site management, planning and coordination, and of protection and community services. Sanitation is woefully inadequate, and water continues to be a problem.anning and coordination, and of protection and community services. Sanitation is woefully inadequate, and water continues to be a problem.

ACT member Lutheran World Federation will be heading this joint response and is sending an emergency coordinator to the region next week to establish the operation and to make preparations for additional staff to support the larger planned intervention. ACT member Norwegian Church Aid will also be sending a water engineer next week to begin work. The overall operations will gradually expand in a phased approach allowing for further discussions with all stakeholders and funding members as the program is established. The planned programs in this appeal will also be extended to the surrounding villages to ensure that IDPs and local populations enjoy a similar standard of service provision in order to minimize any potential conflict between various populations. This initial appeal is for six months till the end of December 2007, with plans to continue as the program is developed.

Project Completion Date: 31 December 2007

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FOR THE FULL APPEAL TEXT (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. __________________________________________________________________________

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer Michael Hyden (mhy@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.