Attachments
Highlights
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In 2017 WFP Chad plans to assist 1.4 million people and requires a USD 191 million budget. USD 35.9 million are urgently needed to cover the requirements from February to July, and particularly to enable prepositioning of food and nutritious products in Eastern Chad before the rainy season, which cuts off access routes.
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WFP launched cash-based assistance in Kerfi, Eastern Chad for 373 refugee households from Sudan and CAR. Nearly 1,360 people received vouchers and exchanged them for food provided by local traders.
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The European Union has announced support to Renewed Efforts Against Child Hunger and Undernutrition (REACH). REACH is a joint initiative of United Nations Agencies
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WFP, FAO, UNICEF, WHO - and aims to reinforce the national nutrition policy and coordination.
Operational Updates
Country-wide
The continued presence of refugees, returnees and IDPs presents important challenges to humanitarian actors. Road transportation in Chad is limited due to a combination of factors: poor infrastructure, vast distances, insecurity; and flooded roads during the four to five months of the rainy season. In this context, UNHAS is essential. The UNHAS steering committee took place on 25 January. The budget requirements for 2017, amounting to USD 15.3 million, was discussed and several donors announced pledges. WFP is seeking further funding to ensure continuity of operations beyond February.
One of the main topics discussed was the feasibility of an airstrip in Baga Sola where humanitarian assistance has been scaled up to respond to the Lake Chad crisis. The cost for a runway is estimated at USD 1 million and a preliminary survey has identified a possibility to rehabilitate a civilian airstrip not used since 8 years.
PRRO 200713:
After discussions with local authorities, refugee committees and UNHCR and sensitization regarding the launch of the new modality, Sudanese refugees from Kerfi Camp, Eastern Chad, received, for the first time, food assistance through vouchers. In exchange of a voucher worth XAF 6,000 (or nearly USD 11), refugees were able to choose products (cereals, oil) grown or bought locally (except for sugar and salt imported from Sudan) and provided by local traders, pre-identified by WFP. Refugees expressed satisfaction over this scheme.
The provision of food assistance through cash transfers or vouchers present a broader range of opportunities for people and enable them to take control over their food basket. In addition, this modality is cost-efficient and enables WFP to maximize the impact of assistance in a constrained resourcing environment. Refugees from C.A.R. have received cash transfers or vouchers for the past 5 months and WFP Chad intends to extend it to an increasing number of Sudanese refugees in 2017.
EMOP 200777 (Lake Chad crisis):
The strike of civil servants, and amongst them teachers, ongoing since September, has been suspended early January allowing schools to open. The emergency school meals programme has resumed in the Lake Chad region in 13 schools. WFP is planning to progressively scale up the programme to reach 25,000 children.