Skip to main content

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

30 October 2024

Clashes in West Darfur state, Sudan, have intensified, leading to a surge in the number of Sudanese refugees arriving in Chad. Since April 2023, over 680,000 Sudanese refugees have been displaced to Chad, with 49,000 arriving in October. Camps in Chad face severe overcrowding and shortages in food, water, and shelter. (IRC 28/10/2024, TNA 17/10/2024)

17 September 2024

The impact of widespread flooding from heavy rainfall since mid-July 2024 is heightening. Reports indicate that the floods had affected almost 1.5 million people across the 23 provinces by 17 September, killing 341 people, damaging at least 265,000 houses, submerging over 250,000 hectares of agricultural land, and restricting humanitarian access. Eight provinces (Batha, Guera, Lac, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo Kebbi Est, Salamat, and Tandjilé) are among the hardest hit, with about 1,179,000 people affected. With their livelihoods devastated, these people need shelter, health, protection, and food aid and assistance. The lack of access to WASH services aggravates the risks of a cholera epidemic across the country. (UNFPA 12/09/2024, UNICEF 17/09/2024, RFI 16/09/2024)

21 August 2024

Between 15 July and 15 August 2024, heavy rains and floods affected at least 261,000 people in Tibesti region, northwestern Chad, displacing more than 5,300 and damaging or destroying 16,200 homes. By 19 August, nearly 70 people had died from the impact. Floodwaters are preventing government and humanitarian responders from reaching some areas. The people living in these areas have not received humanitarian assistance, with planes likely the only means to reach them. The floods have also exposed unexploded mines that had been buried in the land from previous conflicts, making movement more dangerous. More rain is forecast for the following days, and the humanitarian situation is likely to worsen. There is a lack of information on the needs of the people affected and displaced, but they likely need food, NFIs, shelter, and clean drinking water. (ECHO 19/08/2024, OCHA 20/08/2024, RFI 19/08/2024)

06 August 2024

An assessment in Chad found that from mid-May to 1 August 2024, heavy rainfall affected 15,558 people and 4,642 houses across Batha, Chari-Baguirmi, Kanem, Lac, Logone Oriental, and Mayo Kebbi Ouest provinces. The impact has resulted in nine reported deaths, including three children, and blocked several roads, constraining access in the affected areas. The affected people need assistance in the form of shelter, food, essential household items, and WASH services. (ECHO 05/08/2024, OCHA 01/08/2024)

18 June 2024

By mid-2024, eastern Chad is hosting more than one million Sudanese refugees. About 604,000 have arrived since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, including 107,000 since January 2024. They arrive in areas with limited natural resources and livelihood opportunities, where essential services are lacking. Their main needs include health services (including mental health assistance), protection, food, WASH, and shelter. The latter is crucial as the starting rainy season raises concerns about the risks of flooding. (WHO 18/06/2024, UNHCR 31/05/2024)

30 April 2024

Since March 2024, heavy rainfall has been affecting the southern provinces of Logone Oriental and Mandoul, causing floods as rivers overflow. As at 30 April, the disaster had killed one person and injured 45 others. The authorities report about 3,700 affected people (650 households), 692 collapsed houses, 20 damaged classrooms, about 2,000 sacks of cereals destroyed, 130 heads of cattle missing, and 700 trees uprooted. Prior to the heavy rains, the population in these provinces, which hosted refugees from the Central African Republic, were already facing food insecurity issues, which the flooding could have aggravated. While humanitarian support is being provided, there is a need for additional food assistance. (OCHA 26/04/2024, ECHO 30/04/2024, UNHCR accessed 30/04/2024)

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)

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 30/10/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

4.0

TCD001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 30/11/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

2.0

TCD003 - Lake Chad basin crisis

Last updated 30/11/2024


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.3 High

Access constraints

2.0

TCD004 - CAR refugees

Last updated 30/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

TCD005 - Darfur refugees

Last updated 30/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.3 High

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Chad

Chad: Impact of floods

31 October 2024

Chad: Impact of floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 302 KB

Since late July 2024, Chad has been experiencing floods amid the heavy rains of the lingering rainy season (typically from May–October), affecting all 23 of the country’s provinces, 119 of 125 departments, and nearly two million people. 

Natural hazards
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
View more