FEWS NET Emergency Alert for Chad, published Jan 30 2007

CHAD Food Security Emergency

January 30, 2007

Instability increases displacement, hampers humanitarian access

Food security in Chad is deteriorating for many internally displaced persons (IDPs) and surrounding host populations.  Continued reports of cross-border attacks from Sudan and increased interethnic violence within Chad have thwarted Government-led efforts to assist in the return of some IDPs, amplified IDP numbers, and spurred new movements of these displaced populations.  Increased humanitarian needs due to the continued rising numbers of IDPs come at a time when the East?s unstable security environment (UN Phase IV security status) has limited humanitarian access, stalled implementation of some food for work and school feeding safety nets, and inhibited local populations from accessing market gardens and other sources of income diversification.
 
As the number of displaced populations increase ? so too do demands on the surrounding environment.  Tensions between displaced populations and host communities are reportedly increasing as people vie for limited supplies of water, pasture and firewood.  Continued civil insecurity and displacement also threaten to disrupt agricultural activities for the upcoming 2007 season.  The United Nations currently estimates that there are between 75,000 and 112,000 IDPs in Chad.  For these populations to prepare for the 2007/08 production season they must ready their land and access sufficient seeds and tools before rains begin in May/June.  If they are unable to do this, these IDPs will likely need assistance through the lean season of the following year (October 2008).

The unstable security situation is also distorting local markets in Eastern regions ? causing abnormally high commodity prices for consumers, particularly in Abech?.

Food availability among Sudanese and Central African Republic (CAR) refugees in camps is currently stable, due in part to adequately pre-positioned food aid, timely food distributions, and a steady food aid pipeline.  CAR refugees also undertook agricultural production this season and were able to harvest enough food that the World Food Programme is reducing food aid rations in Amboko and Gondj? camps.  However, food security remains a problem due to a persistent lack of access to water, particularly in Sudanese refugee camps and among IDPs.  Water access remains below internationally-accepted levels (15 liters/person/day) in Touloum, Iridimi, Amnabak, Bredjin and Treguine refugee camps.  Health and nutrition are reportedly stable in the camps, although Iridimi and Touloum camps noted an increase in respiratory infections among children.  Koubigou and Kerfi camps also noted an increased prevalence of diarrhea, likely due to consumption of contaminated water.  Recent nutrition screenings in Koloma (in December 2006) and Gassir? (this month) indicate that average malnutrition rates remain below international emergency thresholds.

The Government of Chad and humanitarian agencies are looking for alternatives to improve security for refugees in several Sudanese refugee camps, especially Our? Cassoni and Amnabak, after site assessments and follow-up evaluations determined preliminary new camp sites to be unviable.

 

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) issues periodic warnings when population groups are now, or about to become, highly food insecure, unable to meet their own food needs during the given consumption period and will be forced to reduce consumption, dispose of their productive assets and take increasingly irreversible actions that undermine their future food security.

Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET)

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