Chad

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CRS in Chad

Since independence, Chad has experienced decades of civil war and dictatorship. In more recent years, events in Chad and neighboring countries created an acute security and humanitarian crisis in the country. Despite abundant natural resources, years of mismanagement and a sharp decrease in oil revenues in the past two years have exacerbated an already precarious situation for the local population. Cyclic droughts and influxes of refugees and internally displace people have drained the country’s ability to respond and the population faces a variety of threats to their agricultural livelihoods, health, and educational opportunities. Children under five have little access to health care or drinking water, and in 2016, nearly 3.9 million people have been affected by recent crises, including an estimated 638,000 refugees and internally displaced people in the West, East and South of Chad.

Stats

People served: 167,062

Population: 15,833,116

Size: 495,755 sq mi; slightly more than three times the size of California

CRS' History in Chad

Catholic Relief Services has been working in Chad since 1984 when it based its programming in the CRS Cameroon office in Yaoundé. In 2002, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the Bishops’ Conference invited CRS to open an office in N’Djamena. CRS currently works with more than 10 Chadian organizations in Southern Chad and Eastern Chad.  

CRS’ Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) offers needed financial services to vulnerable populations to diversify their livelihoods through access to credit. CRS also works with food-vulnerable communities and individuals to meet their needs in emergency situations, improve their access to seeds and farming tools, and reinforce their resilience to climatic changes. This is done through livestock fairs, training, food/vouchers for work, equipment provisions, gardens and innovative storage systems.

CRS’ health projects aim to improve the lives of those infected and/or affected with HIV/AIDS, as well as reduce risky sexual behavior in youth through HIV/AIDS education. Since 2011, CRS has provided 10,000 orphans and vulnerable children with educational, health, psychosocial, financial and legal support, including housing in southern Chad. CRS and its partners continue to actively advocate for the improvement of the national system of child protection. 

CRS has implemented peacebuilding projects in Chad since 1996. These interventions support the peaceful management of conflict while addressing human rights violations, intercommunal disputes, and transparent management of natural resources and other public goods.