Background

Chad is among the world’s poorest countries and continues to experience a severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the worsening security situation in its neighbouring countries. Persistent insecurity in the Darfur region of the Sudan and in the CAR, as well as growing instability in Chad itself, linked to the activities of armed opposition groups and inter-community tension, are having a considerable impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Since 2003, eastern Chad has played host to 239 700 Sudanese refugees, while the south is home to some 45 300 refugees from CAR. In addition, continued internal conflicts have led to the displacement of 173 000 Chadians in the east of the country.

Despite the importance of agriculture for livelihoods across the country, the sector faces significant constraints. National agricultural production is at a generally low level and is subject to natural fluctuations that vary from year to year. The country is vulnerable to extreme climatic events and experiences frequent natural disasters, such as droughts and floods in the south, which reduce already scarce resources and aggravate food insecurity.

The entire population is vulnerable to food security and Chad has one of the highest rates of malnutrition (37 percent) in the Sahel region. The southern and eastern regions are also marked by chronic food insecurity. Owing to the continued political impasse in Darfur, the repatriation of refugees and voluntary return of displaced persons in the east of the country is unlikely in the short term. Furthermore, no lasting solutions seem to be in sight for the refugees residing in the south of Chad, given the continued conflict in northern CAR.

Challenges facing food security and livelihoods

According to an interagency survey organized by the WFP in collaboration with the Government, in March 2007 the level of vulnerability was extremely high in the majority of areas hosting displaced and refugee populations. Availability and access to cultivable land remain key issues for these groups. In addition, the large population movements have had a significant impact on host communities, who are experiencing similar levels of food insecurity and vulnerability. It is therefore essential to continue humanitarian interventions and develop a longer-term strategy, taking into account the needs of vulnerable persons and aiming to support and develop mechanisms for self-sufficiency, as well as promoting access to land in order to reduce malnutrition rates and improve the self-reliance of vulnerable households (including displaced, refugees and host communities).

The development of agricultural activities, distribution of inputs (such as seeds for market gardening and small tools/equipment) and increasing agricultural production are key factors in the fight against food insecurity. In 2008, in order to decrease the rates of malnutrition, reduce dependence on food aid and strengthen the livelihoods of vulnerable families, it will be essential to identify favourable conditions for agricultural production, particularly techniques adapted to food production (agriculture and livestock), conservation and commercialization.

FAO response

FAO is seeking US$2 940 520 for emergency and rehabilitation assistance in Chad in 2008. In collaboration with its partners, FAO assistance will seek to improve the food security of refugees, displaced persons and host communities through interventions focusing on improved agricultural production and livestock raising, income-generating activities and community reforestation. These initiatives will contribute to reducing malnutrition rates and improving the food security and livelihoods of targeted beneficiary households, which will include refugee, internally displaced and host community households, with specific attention given to women and children.

FAO’s proposed projects for 2008 will continue activities implemented in 2007 and will include the provision of high-quality seeds to vulnerable families to enable them to meet household consumption needs and generate income through the sale of surplus produce. At the same time, FAO intends to assist animal production by distributing small ruminants to vulnerable households and carrying out the vaccination of existing herds in eastern and southern Chad. Ownership of small animals is an important asset for vulnerable households because the sale of animals is a key source of income and contributes to household self-reliance. FAO, through its interventions, will also attempt to protect the environment, particularly through reforestation and soil conservation activities, but also through support to income generation from agro-forestry products.