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Country analysis

Chad


Security threats around Lake Chad, most notably from Boko Haram and Islamic State – West Africa Province, as well as military operations to contain these groups, have displaced civilians from their homes and disrupted livelihoods. Intercommunity violence over resources in the south also drives population displacement in the country. Insecurity has also been pushing Nigerian refugees towards Chad since 2014, creating a complex displacement crisis across the islands and shores of Lake Chad.

Large and protracted refugee populations, mainly from the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Sudan, in the south and east of the country also face significant humanitarian needs. Following the outbreak of the armed conflict in Sudan in April 2023, more than 554,000 people have found refuge mainly in the eastern provinces of Chad.

These newly displaced people add to the IDPs and refugees coming from neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Affected people experience limited access to livelihood activities and essential services.

Between June–August 2024, more than 2.8 million people are expected to experience acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) – including over 264,000 facing IPC 4 levels.

(UNHCR accessed 03/02/2024, OCHA 09/02/2024, OCHA 08/12/2023, IOM accessed 11/02/2024, IPC 13/11/2023)

Security threats around Lake Chad, most notably from Boko Haram and Islamic State – West Africa Province, as well as military operations to contain these groups, have displaced civilians from their homes and disrupted livelihoods. Intercommunity violence over resources in the south also drives population displacement in the country. Insecurity has also been pushing Nigerian refugees towards Chad since 2014, creating a complex displacement crisis across the islands and shores of Lake Chad.

Large and protracted refugee populations, mainly from the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Sudan, in the south and east of the country also face significant humanitarian needs. Following the outbreak of the armed conflict in Sudan in April 2023, more than 554,000 people have found refuge mainly in the eastern provinces of Chad.

These newly displaced people add to the IDPs and refugees coming from neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Affected people experience limited access to livelihood activities and essential services.

Between June–August 2024, more than 2.8 million people are expected to experience acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) – including over 264,000 facing IPC 4 levels.

(UNHCR accessed 03/02/2024, OCHA 09/02/2024, OCHA 08/12/2023, IOM accessed 11/02/2024, IPC 13/11/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

19 March 2024

In eastern Chad, which hosts over 550,000 Sudanese refugees, hepatitis E is spreading through the camps. As at 15 March 2024, MSF recorded 954 cases among refugees (including 11 pregnant women) – 469 in Adré camp, 292 in Aboutengue, 132 in Metche, and 41 in Al-Acha. Poor sanitation and a shortage of clean water aggravate the spread of the disease in the camps. (MSF 15/03/2024; Webangah 18/03/2024)

22 August 2023

Since April 2023, armed clashes linked to intercommunal tensions in Logone Oriental and Mandoul regions in Chad have internally displaced around 26,000 people, while more than 37,000 have sought refuge in northwestern Central African Republic. More than 31,000 Chadian refugees and over 5,600 Central African returnees are with host families with limited resources, mostly in Lim-Pendé but also in Ouham prefecture. In Lim-Pendé prefecture, humanitarian needs had increased by 34% between 2022–2023 even before the arrival of the newly displaced people. Access to WASH and health services is becoming increasingly difficult given the significant increase in population in the host areas. Most urgent needs also include education, healthcare, and NFIs. The prices of certain food and non-food items have risen by up to 50% because of the disruption of commercial activities resulting from recurrent armed activity in the area bordering Chad. (OCHA accessed 22/08/2023, UN 12/06/2023, OCHA 19/06/2023)

28 June 2023

As at 23 June 2023, over 142,000 Sudanese refugees and 34,000 Chadian returnees fleeing violence in Sudan have found refuge in eastern Chad since the escalation of conflict in April. Newly displaced people are mostly in displacement sites in Ouaddai, Sila, and Wadi Fira provinces and experience multisectoral needs. The current rainy season (typically from mid-May to September) will likely challenge access to people in need, as the eastern regions are prone to flooding. Rains are likely to deteriorate road access, with the risk of completely isolating refugees and host communities and significantly limiting access to services and assistance. Poor access to clean water and sanitation services also increases the risk of waterborne and infectious diseases. As at 22 June, around 26,000 refugees had been relocated from border sites to other camps. The lack of sites is delaying the relocation of refugees, and new arrivals are still being reported. (UNHCR 24/06/2023, MSF 09/06/2023, UNICEF 26/06/2023)

26 April 2023

An estimated 20,000 Chadians and Sudanese have crossed to Chad since 15 April 2023, while another 100,000 are likely to arrive mostly from Nyala and El Geneina towns. As at 22 April, the violence had produced as many as 37,000 IDPs in Nyala and 17,000 in North Darfur. The new arrivals are staying in Ouaddai and Sila provinces in Chad and need food, water, and shelter. (IOM 25/04/2023), (Al Jazeera 26/04/2023)

current crises
in Chad


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

REG001 - Lake Chad basin regional crisis

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD003 - Lake Chad basin crisis

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.5 High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD004 - CAR refugees

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.5 High

Access constraints

2.0

TCD005 - Darfur refugees

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Chad

Chad: food security crisis

04 January 2024

Chad: food security crisis

DOCUMENT / PDF / 387 KB

From the beginning of the Sudan conflict on 15 April to 10 December, at least 555,000 people crossed from Sudan into Chad, including an estimated 450,000 Sudanese refugees and 98,500 Chadian returnees. These new refugees add to the over 427,000 Sudanese refugees who had been living in camps in Chad for over a decade.

Food security & livelihoods
Chad: influx of refugees from Sudan

05 May 2023

Chad: influx of refugees from Sudan

DOCUMENT / PDF / 555 KB

As at 1 May 2023, at least 30,000 people were reported to be displaced to Ouaddai, Sila, and Wadi Fira provinces in Chad because of military clashes in Tandulti area in Ag Geneina locality and Foro Baranga town in West Darfur state, Sudan.

Conflict and violenceDisplacement
Chad: Floods

12 September 2022

Chad: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

As at 30 August, floods had affected at least 440,000 people in Chad. The flooding has caused the collapse of walls, houses, and public buildings and destroyed food storages. 

Natural hazards
Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

17 August 2022

Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report aims to explore the impact of extreme weather and climate events on the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. Since the 1970s in West and Central Africa, river floods and agricultural and ecological droughts have been increasing while average rainfall has been decreasing. These phenomena have an impact on availability of resources and land, and consequently on the economic and living conditions of the regions’ populations.

Food security & livelihoodsNatural hazards
Flooding in Chad, Niger and Nigeria

06 October 2020

Flooding in Chad, Niger and Nigeria

DOCUMENT / PDF / 367 KB

Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in Chad, Niger and Nigeria since the onset of rainy seasons in June. Chad’s rainy season, expected to last until October, is the heaviest in the past 30 years. Flooding in Niger has affected almost twice the estimated population. Flooding in Nigeria is less widespread than in 2019, but is still significant.

Natural hazards
View more