(July 27, 2007) As international donors visit Eastern Chad this week, Save the Children UK is calling on them to deliver vital aid money to the region, where over a quarter of a million children are affected by the current crisis.

In May, the UN appealed for $23 million to meet the needs of an influx of displaced children and their families who had been forced to flee from the conflict that has spilled over into Chad from Darfur. Three months later, only 10% of this money has been delivered.

Representatives from the US-based OFDA, the EC and the French and Dutch governments are currently in Chad and Save the Children UK is urging them to use the visit as an opportunity to make a real difference to the deteriorating situation in the country.

Dominique Porteaud, Emergencies Advisor, said: "Despite increasing needs in Chad, donors have been slow to provide funds for this situation. They must act now and respond to the plea made in May. We need money now to help thousands of children whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and who are now living in waterlogged refugee camps, with little shelter or food, poor sanitation and limited access to school."

Save the Children UK is particularly concerned at the lack of money to fund education activities in the camps for displaced people. In a conflict zone education can greatly increase a child's chances of survival. School can give children a safe place to be, teaches them skills to protect themselves and can help them recover from trauma. Education is seen as vital by children and parents living in conflict-affected countries who know that it offers a route out of conflict and poverty. Around 35,000 displaced children are living in camps in Koukou and Dogdore and the vast majority are out of school, in a country where 3 in 4 adults are illiterate. People in displaced communities say that education is one of their top priorities.

Across Eastern Chad, Save the Children is currently reaching 42,000 children but it's own funding needs of £3.2 million are only one third met - and none of this funding has come from institutional donors.