Chad – Situation update06 February 2008

IASC

Background

2,000 rebels of UFDD, RFC, UFDD-Fondamentale 2,000 rebels of UFDD, RFC, UFDD-Fondamentale advanced to Ndjamenaadvanced to Ndjamena

JEM rebels of Darfur passed Abeche to join in fighting JEM rebels of Darfur passed Abeche to join in fighting at the capital levelat the capital level

Fighting fronts in Faya Largeau, AdréFighting fronts in Faya Largeau, Adré President Deby ran for 3rd term of office in 2005 and is President Deby ran for 3rd term of office in 2005 and is

accused of favouring Zagawa clan (3% of population)accused of favouring Zagawa clan (3% of population) NDJ: 650-1,000 dead, several hundred war woundedNDJ: 650-1,000 dead, several hundred war wounded Refugee movement to Cameroon : 20,000 crossed, Refugee movement to Cameroon : 20,000 crossed,

50,000 (planning figure)50,000 (planning figure)

Chad/Darfur Links

Fighting possibly Fighting possibly linked to planned EU linked to planned EU deployment (3,700 deployment (3,700 troops)troops)

Chad Govt. Minister Chad Govt. Minister calls rebel attacks a calls rebel attacks a « declaration of war « declaration of war by Sudan »by Sudan »

Darfur rebels seem to Darfur rebels seem to enjoy freedom of enjoy freedom of movement in Eastern movement in Eastern Chad and have fought Chad and have fought alongside Chadian alongside Chadian army before.army before.

Predominately of same Predominately of same ethnic background as ethnic background as the president (Zagawa)the president (Zagawa)

Recent developments

Govt. and rebels are regrouping and re-Govt. and rebels are regrouping and re-arming after intial attacks in Ndjamena;arming after intial attacks in Ndjamena;

Adré attacked , Faya Largeau captured;Adré attacked , Faya Largeau captured; Guereda armed attacks on humanitarian Guereda armed attacks on humanitarian

workers and equipment;workers and equipment; Evacuation of non essential UN and NGO Evacuation of non essential UN and NGO

staff (NDJ/Abeche/Guereda) staff (NDJ/Abeche/Guereda)

Political developments

Security Council statement issued allowing Security Council statement issued allowing possiblity for France providing military support to possiblity for France providing military support to President Deby.President Deby.

African Union asked Libya’s Colonel Ghaddhafi African Union asked Libya’s Colonel Ghaddhafi and Rebublic of Congo, Omar Bongo to monitor and Rebublic of Congo, Omar Bongo to monitor the situation.the situation.

EUFOR on hold, but intends to deployEUFOR on hold, but intends to deploy Special Representative of SG (SRSG) nominated Special Representative of SG (SRSG) nominated

(Victor da Silva Angelo)(Victor da Silva Angelo)

Humanitarian situation

About 650-1,000 injured About 650-1,000 injured in NDJin NDJ

Couple of hundred deadCouple of hundred dead Over 20,000 refugees to Over 20,000 refugees to

CameroonCameroon No information on internal No information on internal

displacement figuresdisplacement figures Access problematic due to Access problematic due to

reduced manpower and reduced manpower and insecurityinsecurity

Widespread looting Widespread looting including including offices/equipment of offices/equipment of humanitarian actorshumanitarian actors

Preparedness and Preparedness and rapid response rapid response capacity to be capacity to be increasedincreased

Regional Consequences

Spillover into Cameroon actual, possibly Nigeria Spillover into Cameroon actual, possibly Nigeria (62 returning Nigerians ex Chad) and Niger (62 returning Nigerians ex Chad) and Niger expectedexpected

Further deterioration of situation for Darfuri Further deterioration of situation for Darfuri refugees in Chadrefugees in Chad

Renewed delay in deployment of EUFOR to Chad Renewed delay in deployment of EUFOR to Chad and CAR and consequently no security of refugees and CAR and consequently no security of refugees and IDPs in eastern Chad, north eastern CARand IDPs in eastern Chad, north eastern CAR

Fears of wider regional conflict Fears of wider regional conflict

Concerns

Worsened security Worsened security environment hindering environment hindering humanitarian access;humanitarian access;

Escalation in human rights Escalation in human rights violations; violations;

Increasing IDP movements Increasing IDP movements towards urban and semi-towards urban and semi-urban settlements; urban settlements;

Increased forced Increased forced recruitment - including of recruitment - including of children - by belligerent children - by belligerent partiesparties

Funding needs for Funding needs for response to refugees in response to refugees in Cameroon – CERF? FA?Cameroon – CERF? FA?

Advocacy for IHL and HR Advocacy for IHL and HR adherenceadherence

Cessation of hostilities Cessation of hostilities Continued response to Continued response to

IDP and refugee needs in IDP and refugee needs in ChadChad

Response to date

UNHCR team on the ground in Kousseri/ UNHCR team on the ground in Kousseri/ CameroonCameroon

2 Airlift flights in preparation with 90 tons of 2 Airlift flights in preparation with 90 tons of relief supplies ex Dubai for 14,000 refugeesrelief supplies ex Dubai for 14,000 refugees

6 –7,000 transitting refugees to be moved to a 6 –7,000 transitting refugees to be moved to a campsite in Maltam, 32 kms from Koussericampsite in Maltam, 32 kms from Kousseri

62 wounded are treated in local hospital2 trucks 62 wounded are treated in local hospital2 trucks on their way with relief itemson their way with relief items

Response to date

WFP team on the ground in CameroonWFP team on the ground in Cameroon IFRC shipping NFI for 15,000 and watsan IFRC shipping NFI for 15,000 and watsan

equipment for 40,000 people to Cameroonequipment for 40,000 people to Cameroon IFRC staff deployed to assist in the IFRC staff deployed to assist in the

distribution effortdistribution effort OCHA evacuated team assisting in OCHA evacuated team assisting in

assessment of situation in northern assessment of situation in northern CameroonCameroon

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