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UNICEF Chad Humanitarian Situation Report, 30 November 2017

Countries
Chad
+ 3 more
Sources
UNICEF
Publication date

Highlights

  • In response to the deterioration of the nutritional situation (increase of the national global acute malnutrition prevalence from 11.9% in 2016 to 13.9% in 2017, SMART 2017) and the food insecurity threatening directly 890,000 persons in Chad, (IPC 2017) the Humanitarian Country Team, the Ministry of Public Health and ECHO are increasing their efforts on resource mobilisation and response to the crisis.

  • The number of cases of cholera reported in the region of Salamat significantly decreased during the reporting period, thanks to the response provided by UNICEF and its partners. 108 new cases were reported in November against 658 in October. A total of 816 cases (29 death, 3.5%) were notified in this region.

  • 2,350 new displaced people (of which 400 children), coming from the locality of Kaiga Kindjira settled in the sites of Nahim 1 and 3 (district of Bagassola, Lac region) following attacks allegedly perpetrated by the armed group Boko Haram. A rapid assessment conducted by humanitarian actors revealed a satisfying nutritional status of children. 370 children were vaccinated against measles by UNICEF and its partners.

  • UNICEF Chad’s HAC is 55% funded as of end of November. $0.9 million received in November were allocated to the nutrition response in the Sahel belt.

SITUATION IN NUMBERS

2,700,000 Children affected (UNICEF HAC 2017)

228,240 Children under 5 with Severe Acute Malnutrition in 2017 (Nutrition Cluster 2017)

157,734 People displaced (IDPs, returnees, TCN, refugees) in the Lac Region (IOM, DTM October and UNHCR November 2017)

UNICEF Humanitarian funding needs in 2017
US$ 57.8 million
Funding available
US$ 32.1 million

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Population Displacement

2,350 people (350 households, 400 children) newly arrived in the returnee sites of Dar Nahim 1 and 3 (district of Bagassola, Lac region) fleeing attacks allegedly perpetrated by the group Boko Haram in the zone of Kaiga Kindjira. The exact status of number of them is yet to be confirmed since they possess identity documents from Chad and Niger countries. A rapid humanitarian assessment conducted with the participation of United Nations Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations showed that the nutritional status of displaced children is good. Nethertheless, needs of food assistance and Non Food Items were pointed out and it was agreed to conduct a deeper assessment to confirm the needs.
The update of the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), provided the follow picture on people displacement in the Lac region: 99,983 Internal Displaced persons (IDPs), 15,960 chadian returnees and 361 third-country nationals. 9,312 Nigerian refugees1 have also been registered by UNHCR as of end of November 2017.

During the period June-July 2017, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR and OIM collaborated on an operation to update the registration and the profiling of Central African refugees and returnees living in the South of Chad. The objective pursued was to adapt humanitarian assistance to the socioeconomic and professional profile of returnees and refugees. Results of this operation were officially released in November and features include a 42 % decrease in the number of central African returnees (from 72,249 to 40,956). Households mostly are led by women (69% for refugees and 67% for returnees). More than 60% of refugees and returnees are under 20 years old. 70% of refugee households and 67% of returnee households are vulnerable (factors of vulnerability cover structural weaknesses at household and community levels). The study recommends a set of actions depending on the profile of the refugees and returnees such as the definition of exit strategies on the assistance of less vulnerable people (access to microfinances, economic inclusion, autonomisation); the facilitation of the access of more vulnerable people to social services, the implementation of Cash Based Transfer projects when appropriate.

Food security and Nutrition

The food security situation in the Sahel belt was updated as results of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Phase (IPC) identifying the zones at risk and vulnerable populations were released. For the current period (October-December 2017), 2 departments in the Lac region (Fouli and Kaya) are classified in « crisis phase » with an estimated 316,600 people in need of food assistance as well as nutrition support. 21 departments covering 2,000,900 people are under « stress phase » requiring resilience programme and projects contributing to maintain malnutrition level acceptable.
A deterioration of the situation is anticipated in the projected scenario (June-August 2018): 17 departments will be in « crisis phase » and 28 departments under « stress phase ».
In October 2017, the SMART survey pointed out an overall deterioration of the nutritional situation in the country with 12 regions out of 23 where the global acute malnutrition rate exceeds the emergency threshold of 15% defined by WHO. 09 of these regions are located in the Sahel Belt and are classified in the phases 2 and 3 of the of the IPC projected phase (June-August 2018).

Epidemic Outbreaks

The number of new cases of cholera in the region of Salamat significantly decreased as a result of the strengthened efforts of UNICEF and its partners. 108 new cases were notified in November (against 658 cases in October), giving a total of 816 cases (29 deaths) identified since the beginning of the outbreak in September. Death rate was reduced from 20% at the beginning of the crisis to 3.5% in November. No new case is reported in the region since the 24 of November 2017. UNICEF maintained its presence in the field with the roving staff (in the district of Am-Timan in order to support the crisis management group which is coordinating the response. This staff provided technical assistance as well, especially on social mobilisation activities. UNICEF deployed one kit of cholera (1 kit to be used to treat 500 cases) and WASH items which are being used on the response.
In the region of Sila, since October, the situation is still stable and no new case was reported. The total number of cases in this region is still 436 with 52 death (death rate of 11.9%). No new case reported since the beginning of October in this region. The total of cases reported countrywide is 1,252 for 81 deaths (death rate is 6.4%).