Refugees International: Reports: Visual Mission: Darfur Refugees Flee to Chad

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Visual Mission: Darfur Refugees Flee to Chad

Refugees International recently completed an assessment mission in Chad, where some 200,000 people fleeing the conflict in Darfur have sought safety. In the past several months, the situation has stabilized, and agencies are starting to focus on longer-term programs, such as vocational training, income generation, and psycho-social programs. These longer-term programs have not yet been implemented on a large-scale. UNHCR and NGOs still have a great deal of work to do in order to meet the needs of vulnerable groups living in the camps.

Chad 2005: Host community

Photo Credit: Refugees International/ Michelle Brown
03/12/2005
When refugees from Darfur first arrived in Chad 18 months ago, the local communities opened their homes and assisted their neighbors from across the border. In the past months, conflict over scarce resources and the perception that refugees are receiving preferential treatment has led to increasing tensions between the refugees and their hosts. RI interviewed this group of Chadian villagers at the outskirts of Bredjing refugee camp. They explained, “They are our brothers and they left their country for a good reason. The problem is now that they are here, we do not have the same access to grass for our animals, wood, or water that we once did. We are in the same situation as the refugees, and we also need assistance.” Aid agencies realize the importance of providing assistance to local communities and are planning to provide food for work, health, education, and water assistance.