Chad, a country struck by poverty, is confronted with three refugee crises. It has welcomed not only 7000 people fleeing Boko Haram, but also over 380 000 refugees from much less publicised crises, such as that of the Central African Republic and Darfur. The majority of these refugees have lived in Chad for more than 10 years.

The EU's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department continues to provide essential assistance to these largely forgotten populations, through partners such as the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Humanitarian aid aims to promote longer-term solutions and the self-sufficiency of refugees.

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At the vocational training centre in Maro, a village in southern Chad, practical work for masonry students is taking place under the sun. Under the watchful eyes of their instructors, the students set out to apply their knowledge acquired in class.

Among them is Estelle, a young woman in her twenties. After laying a brick on the wall, she explains why she wants to finish this nine-month training.

"In our country, women are in the field or in the kitchen; I want to participate in the construction of my village and my country," says Estelle before stressing that with this job she can help "many other women, especially those who live alone."

Aged between 18 and 30, the training participants are Central African refugees from Belom camp, about 2 kilometres away, and Chadians from Maro and other neighbouring villages.

Those who pass their tests at the end of this training, which is implemented by UNHCR and the non-governmental organisation Lutheran World Federation, receive support for equipment and work tools.

In southern Chad, four vocational training centres in sewing, masonry, carpentry and mechanics, as well as two IT centres, host 325 students. In addition to vocational training centres, UNHCR and its partners are financing income-generating activities for refugees and their Chadian hosts. Financial support for these programmes comes from the EU's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department and the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), among others.

The income and products derived from these activities mainly allow refugees to self-sufficiently supplement humanitarian assistance which has been declining for several years.

One of the projects launched in the eastern part of the country is the 'Seeds for Solutions' programme aimed at host camps and villages. For example, in the village of Koutoufou which is located in an extremely arid part of eastern Chad, Sudanese refugees and Chadians - both men and women - cultivate a field of 25 hectares together as way of fostering good community relations.

The field is supplied with water, in all seasons, thanks to a system of irrigation using solar energy which gives its beneficiaries, who are mostly women, a more regular production.
Achta Biney by © UNHCR/I.Diane

Achta Abdallah Biney holds a turnip that she has produced from her plot of land. © UNHCR/I.Diane
"With these vegetables, I feel responsible and I decide what to do with income," said Achta Abdallah Biney, a 38-year-old Sudanese refugee and mother of five, while showing her turnip crop. She is one of the 500 refugees and members of the local community who cultivate this land. This strengthens relations with host communities.

According to the UN agency, refugee farmers sell on average 70% of their harvest and use the rest for their daily meals.

In view of the prevailing situation in their countries of origin, the majority of refugees living in Chad will not opt for immediate repatriation. Thus, emphasis should be placed on socio-economic inclusion activities in parallel with the search for durable solutions such as voluntary repatriation, according to UNHCR.

"It is important to equip refugees with the capacity to take charge and integrate into the socio-economic development process here in Chad and when they decide to return to their country," says Edward O'Dwyer, a UNHCR representative in Chad.

Last updated
26/09/2017