THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD

Published purpose

As a result of violence in Darfur and a continued local insurgency by Chadian rebels, a large population of displaced people has congregated in Chad. There is a need for continued assistance to a refugee population of 255,000 spread over twelve camps, an internally displaced population of 188,000 located in 30 sites, as well as vulnerable members of host communities affected by the crisis. The prolonged presence of displaced populations in a fragile sahelo-saharian environment further increases the strain on local agriculture, pasture and water. In Chad, upwards of 34 percent of children under five are underweight and an estimated 35 percent of the population is undernourished. CIDA's contribution is saving the lives of Chadian internally displaced persons and Sudanese refugees through targeted food aid. It is reducing malnutrition among vulnerable groups through supplementary feeding and therapeutic feeding. The operation is working towards ensuring food and nutritional security and re-establishing livelihoods through work-for-food and work-for-training programs. Education levels of internally displaced persons and host populations are being increased through support to school feeding programs.