CERF allocates $1.2 million to replace lost aid supplies in Chad
5 August 2008: More information coming soon.
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| Chadian refugees [Photo: UNICEF] |
[last update: 5 August 2008]
CERF allocates $ 4.3 million to assist Central African Republic refugees in Chad
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| Zahra Mohamed has found some security in Bekoninga after spending two months in the bush near the border with her seven children after her husband was killed in an attack on their village. [Photo: WFP] |
8 May 2008: An estimated 56,000 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees currently reside in five camps situated in southern Chad. Since the beginning of 2008, some 12,000 new refugees have crossed the border into Chad. This latest influx of refugees, coming from northwest CAR in the Kabo area, have fled due to persecution at the hands of various groups, ranging from ‘coupeurs de route’, rebel groups and affiliates. Following their arrival, they were moved from the border area to a transit site some 35 km inside Chadian territory while a more permanent, secure and accessible location could be identified. Now, with a more stable and viable site identified near the village of Maro, refugees are in the process of being transferred to the new site where they will be able to safely re-establish their lives and be afforded essential protection and assistance. The CERF grant will be used to cover the initial assistance to all these 12,000 newly arrived CAR refugees.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is responding to the refugee situation in Chad with CERF-funded emergency assistance. It is purchasing and distributing non-food items to 12,000 CAR refugees including 2500 tents, 6000 blankets, 3000 mosquito nets, 6000 jerry cans among other items. Soap and sanitary kits are being provided for women and girls in need.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is using a CERF grant to provide Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) in refugee camps while preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through training, and psycho-social support. It is also training security personnel, NGO staff and facilitators in children’s rights, prevention of and response to abuse.
Health and nutrition interventions by UNICEF are being supported by a CERF grant and are addressing the needs of 12,000 new CAR refugees, including 5,500 children under 18 years of age. It is implementing Immunization campaigns against measles and against maternal and neo-natal tetanus. To control malaria, UNICEF is providing mosquito nets to women and children in refugee camps in southern Chad. Emergency kits, supplementary drugs for treatment of diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, and acute respiratory infections are being supplied. Therapeutic feeding centres are being established in hospitals and the Moula refugee camp and 655 boxes of high-energy biscuits provided.
To reduce HIV infections and address the effects of HIV/AIDS cases UNICEF is using CERF funds to provide testing supplies, drugs and organize referring infected persons to area hospitals. Health workers are being trained in prevention and treatment methods.
UNICEF is also utilizing a CERF grant to construct 30 semi-permanent classrooms and provide school materials in order to provide access to quality education for 3,000 children in the Moula refugee camp.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is spending a CERF grant on 1,600 metric tonnes of food and distributing it to 12,000 new CAR refugees and 44,000 existing refugees for three months.
[last update: 4 June 2008]
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