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Ndjamena, Chad A recently completed assessment collecting data on wood fuel supply and demand by FAO, UNHCR and local partners has revealed the challenges of shortages in wood fuel for the communities living in Goré, Southern Chad. The results and recommendations of a more detailed study of the findings will enable the drafting of a program to reinforce access to energy and diversified livelihood through the sustainable and peaceful management of natural resources.

Located 30 kilometers from the border with the Central African Republic (CAR), the area has seen two main waves of human displacement from CAR in 2004 and 2013. Displacement has led to pressure on the local environment and could exacerbate tension between the host communities, refugees and returnees for the control and use of natural resources such as wood.

The coexistence between the different groups remains peaceful but trips to collect wood have become noticeably longer.  The management of forests and other natural resources is however complex and requires deep knowledge of the context to increase the resilience of local and displaced populations. 

Wood fuel supply in protracted crisis

To assess the potential effects of population displacement, FAO measures the wood fuel supply and demand in protracted crisis contexts. The assessment methodology has two main aspects: fuel wood consumption and associated challenges with wood collection are analyzed through gender-differentiated focus group discussions and interviews with households and key informants. Fuel wood supply is assessed by small-scale forest inventories and an analysis of satellite imagery before and after displacement, to define the potential for biomass production and to assess the historical change in biomass cover.

Evaluations are based on the technical handbook developed jointly by UNHCR and FAO. The recent assessment in Chad follows the logic of similar evaluations carried out in Bangladesh, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.