Highlights
The situation remains stable in the Lac region, despite the resumption of military operations on the border with Nigeria and Niger.
The second report on humanitarian access in the Lac region concludes that overall, humanitarian access has been satisfactory for most partners during the second quarter 2016.
A 90-day emergency response plan (July-September) for the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin was developed. For Chad, multisectoral assistance to about 250,000 people in need requires an estimated 16 million US dollars.
Various nutritional screening exercises continue to report malnutrition rates above emergency thresholds. In July, an acute malnutrition screening in 20 sites by local associations CELIAF and Al Nadja, in partnership with UNICEF, highlights an 18.5% acute malnutrition rate, including 5.6% cases of severe acute malnutrition.
Resilience and livelihood rehabilitation projects , are increasing which underlines the need to shift the humanitarian response towards durable solutions for vulnerable populations in the Lac region.
WFP is implementing new approaches, with biometric registration of displaced people, as well as cash transfers in 5 sites in Bol area for 9,051 beneficiaries.
Background
Overall, the situation remains stable in the Lac region, despite the resumption of military operations on the border with Nigeria and Niger, as well as some incidents related to humanitarian action. On 27 June, non-food items (NFIs) (consisting of mosquito nets and hygiene water and sanitation kits) aimed to be distributed on Tchoukoutalia site by a local NGO, partner of a United Nations agency, were looted. The security forces recovered part of the stolen items and the distribution was completed peacefully. Furthermore, an attempt to escape from Bol prison on 25 June resulted in three deaths and seven injured. Finally, in Kaiga sub-prefecture, on 10 July, 19 members of an armed group reportedly raided a village about 5km from Kaiga; inhabitants fled and then returned to the village, and confirmed that one person died and their food stock was looted.
The second report on humanitarian access in the Lac region, which covers the period from April to June 2016, concludes that humanitarian access is generally satisfactory for most partners. During this timeframe, no incidents against humanitarian workers have been reported and access is possible throughout the region, except in areas where military operations have been ongoing since mid-June. The resurgence in the use of mines early June in the Lac region could imply movement restrictions in some border areas. This could also bear consequences on the possibilities of return and durable solutions.
A 90-day emergency response plan for the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin (Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Niger) was developed by the humanitarian community to guide funding allocations by donors between now and September. This plan highlights the vulnerabilities exacerbated by the rainy season, ongoing military operations and the lean season, in a context of limited access to basic services. For Chad, multi-sectoral assistance to about 250,000 people in need requires an estimated USD 16 million for the next three months. According to the HRP 2016, total needs for the Lac region in 2016 amount to USD 94 million.
Humanitarian partners are already developing projects to strengthen community resilience and rebuild livelihoods. The European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Planning officially launched a project to strengthen livelihoods in the Lac region. Other partners also intervene in the distribution of seeds and agricultural and fishing equipment (the NGO ACTED with ECHO funding, the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC -, the NGO Catholic Relief Services - CRS -, the NGOs COOPI and CARE with a funding from the French embassy), support for income-generating activities, or support to farmers (the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO - and the NGO IMC - International Medical Corps -, the ICRC through a livestock vaccination campaign). This trend highlights the need to move towards solutions that empower people, thereby avoiding a protracted crisis and prolonged dependency on humanitarian aid.
From 15 to 17 July, a high-level delegation visited Chad to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad basin and emphasize the need for a greater commitment by donors. The delegation was composed of the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Mr. Christos Stylianides, the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, Ms. Anne C. Richard, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Mr. Toby Lanzer, the delegation visited Melia and Yakoua sites in the Bol area.