The Red Cross movement is currently concentrating its humanitarian activities on the needs of 45,000 Sudanese refugees and 1,800,000 vulnerable Chadian residents in disaster-prone areas.

These activities include medical aid, water and sanitation facilities, shelter, food, education and infrastructure.

Mr. Andrews said that rivalry between nomadic groups and ethnic communities, the spill -over of the conflict in Darfur as well as endemic poverty all contributed to a harsh environment in Chad which continued to be compounded by increased pressure on scarce natural resources.

Â"Humanitarian workers, including Red Cross delegates, often appear as the sole actors trying to cope with the situation. Despite the challenging environment and difficult working conditions the Red Cross continues to provide life saving humanitarian services on a daily basis.Â" he said.

The Red Cross is currently providing health and water programmes in Treguine and Bredgine Sudanese refugee camps. They are also working in 13 villages of the local host community of Hadjer Hadid (around the refugee camps). As a result the risk of illness and death has been reduced.

The goal of the Red Cross is to improve the health status of the most vulnerable in six strategic Chadian regions, including Eastern Chad, by end December 2007.

The Red Cross disaster management capacity in Chad is currently ensuring an adequate level of response to an estimated 45,000 Sudanese refugees in Treguine and Bredgine camps.

It is also involved in helping 9,000 vulnerable locals around the refugee camps and in six strategic Chadian regions outside the refugee operation areas. This is contributing to reducing the overall risk of death and disease in the country.

David Andrews said that his team will visit a number of refugee camps and meet with Red Cross delegates working there to establish how best the Irish donations can be used in Chad.

Â"We also view this mission as an ideal way to raise awareness of the terrible humanitarian problems the Chadian people are suffering every day as well as highlighting the humanitarian crisis across the border in Darfur, which has had a direct and very detrimental impact in eastern Chad. We believe that, by highlighting the environment of violence, disease and death in which these people live, the Irish public will be encouraged to donate funds that will allow our Red Cross colleagues continue to save lives,Â" he said.

The delegation will visit the Treguine and Bredgine camps in Abeche, the Red Cross centre in Hadjer Hadid and the Chairman, Mr. Andrews, will also meet with Chadian local authorities.