HIGHLIGHTS
389,511 total number of refugees and asylum seekers assisted by UNHCR in Chad
46,000 received livelihoods support to promote refugee self-reliance
Prevention of statelessness: 7,617 birth certificates issues to returnees since January 2016
VILLAGIZATION MISSION IN SOUTHERN CHAD
In an effort to increase refugee self-reliance, UNHCR is seeking to implement a pilot project of transforming two protracted refugee camps into integrated sites. From 28 July to 1 August, a multi-function team from Headquarters in Geneva and the UNHCR Branch Office (N'Djamena) conducted a feasibility study for the creation of the 'integrated sites' of Amboko and Gondje in the Sub Office of Gore, South Chad. The mission held consultations with the refugee committees and discussions with the focal points of the different sectors (health, nutrition, environment, WASH, education) prior to meeting with the traditional heads of town in the camps vicinity. The results of these consultations will enable the team to develop a holistic approach to plan the project which will take into consideration the needs of refugees and the local population in surrounding villages.
MEETING WITH THE U.S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE
On Friday, 15 July, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), Ann C. Richard, on mission in Chad visited UNHCR office. Together with the Regional PRM Coordinator, Lance Kinne, they had a meeting behind closed doors with the committee of urban refugees, followed by a discussion with the UNHCR management team lead by the Representative, Jose Antonio Canhandula. UNHCR Chad operation and its perspectives were discussed. The mission objectives were to look for elements of the protracted refugee situation to support advocacy for funding, to lend support to the EU in its effort to highlight the crisis around Lake Chad as well as crisis in other parts of Africa, and to prepare Chad for the September UN General Assembly debates on refugees and the more restricted Leaders' Summit on the Global Refugee Crisis to be held in the same month. During the exchange, the Representative gave an overview of the UNHCR operation highlighting its vision, initiatives, successes, challenges and vulnerabilities. Mrs. Richard reiterated her support to the work UNHCR operation.
OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
The closure of the border in the South and the Lake Chad Region continues to affect cross-border movements, and has a negative impact on socio-economic activities such as trade of goods and cattle. In the Lake Chad Region, the State of Emergency is still in effect and the fight against Boko Haram insurgency continue.
The search for durable solutions for Chadian returnees from CAR remain a challenge as the Government five-year action plan for the reintegration of the returnees is yet to be launched. UNHCR continues its advocacy efforts for the Chadian parliament to pass the national asylum law. The challenge remains the short term of line ministers in office as a result of frequent ministerial reshuffling which impacts the advocacy process.