Emergency Assistance to Vulnerable Populations in Chad - UNICEF 2009

Direct and indirect hostilities between the Chadian government and various local rebel groups the Chadian government and Sudan and the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Darfur have lead to a grave humanitarian crisis in the already desolate region of eastern Chad. An estimated 260 000 Sudanese refugees displaced by the conflict in Darfur and 185 000 Chadians displaced by the fighting in their own country now reside in camps in eastern Chad putting intense pressure on a host-community of approximately 700 000 people. The resulting strain on local resources including food water grazing land and fuel sources has led to an increased risk of life-threatening disease and malnutrition for all three populations. CIDA's contribution is supporting the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help meet the basic humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations particularly women and children affected by conflict and insecurity in the country. UNICEF is active in five important humanitarian assistance areas of education; health; nutrition; protection; and clean water and sanitation services in Chad. This CIDA grant allows UNICEF to act flexibly to determine where needs are greatest in these assistance areas and direct the funds accordingly.