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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. 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 Sudan and the Central African Republic, in the south and east of the country also face significant humanitarian needs.

General Mahamat Idriss Déby, who took over in April 2021 just after the death of his father, the former president, rules the country. The duration of the transition to elections was then extended by two years following a national dialogue in October 2022. This decision, which the opposition does not recognise, has caused civil unrest across the country. In the same month, security forces killed more than 50 people and injured dozens more during demonstrations against the extension of the transition.

(OCHA 15/03/2022, Africanews 31/01/2023, Africanews 08/10/2022, HRW 26/10/2022)

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. 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 Sudan and the Central African Republic, in the south and east of the country also face significant humanitarian needs.

General Mahamat Idriss Déby, who took over in April 2021 just after the death of his father, the former president, rules the country. The duration of the transition to elections was then extended by two years following a national dialogue in October 2022. This decision, which the opposition does not recognise, has caused civil unrest across the country. In the same month, security forces killed more than 50 people and injured dozens more during demonstrations against the extension of the transition.

(OCHA 15/03/2022, Africanews 31/01/2023, Africanews 08/10/2022, HRW 26/10/2022)

Latest updates on country situation

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 31/08/2023


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.4 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

TCD001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 31/08/2023


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.3 Very High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD003 - Lake Chad basis crisis

Last updated 31/08/2023


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD004 - CAR refugees

Last updated 31/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

3.0

TCD005 - Darfur refugees

Last updated 31/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Chad

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. 

Natual 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 & livelihoodsNatual 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.

Natual hazards
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