AMBASSADOR'S FY 2006 DISASTER RE-DECLARATION OF A

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000820

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/C, AF/EPS, EB AND PRM
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA AND DCHA/FFP
ACCRA FOR USAID/WARP
KAMPALA FOR USAID/RFFPO
NAIROBI FOR OFDA/ECARO AND RFFPO
ROME FOR FODAG
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
USUN FOR EMALY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF SOCI CD
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FY 2006 DISASTER RE-DECLARATION OF A
COMPLEX EMERGENCY IN CHAD: CONFLICT-AFFECTED POPULATIONS IN
THE EAST

REF: 05 NDJAMENA 0020


1. Disaster Determination. The Republic of Chad continues to
suffer from an ongoing disaster that warrants U.S. Government
assistance to meet the emergency requirements of
conflict-affected populations in the east of the country.
This disaster exceeds the host country's ability to provide
an adequate response and the Government of Chad has
specifically requested donor support and has demonstrated its
willingness to accept USG assistance. It is in the interest
of the USG to respond; therefore I re-declare the complex
emergency in Chad and request continued support from
USAID/OFDA to meet humanitarian needs.


2. Background

a) Since April 2003, more than 200,000 Sudanese from the
western Darfur region have fled their villages and sought
refuge in eastern Chad, an extremely undeveloped, semi-arid
region where the local population struggles to survive even
in good times. The refugees arrived with an estimated 1.5
million head of cattle, placing increased pressures on scarce
land, pasture and water, which in turn has led to heightened
tensions between the two communities, occasionally
manifesting itself in conflict. Exacerbating the situation
further is the increased insecurity along the border,
starting around December 2005, causing displacement of
upwards to 35,000 Chadians from their villages to safety
further inland. Thus, Chad's eastern border area is now host
to both refugee and internally displaced populations.

b) While a massive relief program has been successfully
organized for the refugee population, assistance for host
communities has been minimal and localized by comparison. In
January 2005 the Ambassador issued a disaster determination
in an effort to address, at least in part, this shortcoming
by mobilizing $50,000 to assist the host population in and
around Bahai, the northernmost location for refugee camps.
This was followed by $3.5 million awarded by OFDA to five
organizations which had proposed projects focusing on host
population needs in the areas of water, health, sanitation
and food security. UNHCR also reserved five per cent of its
budget for activities benefiting host populations. It is
necessary for these and like activities to continue
implementation through FY 2006 and into 2007 in order to
address very serious life-support needs of host populations
in these refugee-impacted zones, and to help prevent conflict
between the two communities. Attention will also need to be
paid to the relatively recent population of internally
displaced persons (IDPs).


3. Recommended Disaster Response

a) Population affected by refugee influx. As in FY 2005
when OFDA provided about $3.5 million to address problems
faced by Chadian host communities impacted adversely by the
refugee influx, Post recommends a similar approach in FY

2006. The goal remains to ameliorate the extreme poverty and
lack of development in the fragile environment of eastern
Chad by supporting activities in the water/sanitation,
health, nutrition, and agriculture/food security sectors.
This approach was effective (based on discussions with
beneficiaries, local authorities and aid agency
representatives, as well as personal observation by OFDA and
Embassy staff) in addressing urgent host population needs and

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defusing growing animosities between refugee and host
communities.

b) IDPs. OFDA should support the approach advocated in the
April/May multi-agency assessment led by WFP, which is to
provide targeted assistance to IDPs and their hosts,
especially in the area of water, sanitation, health,
nutrition and agriculture. An effort must be made to avoid
over-reacting and negating the considerably effective coping
mechanisms the IDPs have developed for survival over the
years. Of particular importance will be assistance in the
agriculture sector. The traditional and provincial
authorities are working to find land for the IDPs to
cultivate, but many will be in need of seeds and garden
implements due to their hasty flight from janjaweed attacks.
Food rations will be distributed concurrently with seeds in
order to discourage their consumption. Food for Work
activities are also planned by WFP after the initial round of
seed distributions. The development of sustainable water
sources is also required, while shelter and non-food items
may be needed on a targeted basis. Existing services should
be strengthened to the degree possible, although mobile
health clinics may be required in some areas.


4. Disaster Re-declaration in Chad. In light of the above,
I re-declare the existence of a complex humanitarian disaster
and request continued support from USAID/OFDA to meet
humanitarian needs in Chad.
WALL