The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocates US$ 10 million for humanitarian assistance in Chad while the crisis remains greatly underfunded in a context of rising food insecurity

(N'Djamena, 29 June, 2016): The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has approved, under the rapid response window, the allocation of US$ 10 million for the humanitarian response in Chad, to meet the most pressing needs of those affected by the crisis in the Lac region, and food insecurity and malnutrition in the Sahel belt.

More than 110 000 people displaced in the Lac region due to the security situation are still living in very precarious conditions in around hundred sites or host villages. In addition, one million people are severely food insecure, while 190,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the Sahel belt in Chad.

According to the Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad, Mr. Stephen Tull, "This CERF allocation is absolutely vital to address these major humanitarian needs, as the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin is one of the most under-funded in the world, compared with identified needs. Moreover, the degradation of food insecurity throughout the Sahel belt illustrates the complexity of the context in Chad, marked by multiple and interconnected crises. "

More than half of the CERF funds will be used to provide vital assistance to the displaced people and host communities in the northern area of the Lac region, which was inaccessible during several months for security reasons. This will include strengthening mobile clinics, health services and vaccination of children (14 % of the funds), improving access to drinking water, hygiene and sanitation (10%), supporting community protection mechanisms (7%), and continuing the registration of displaced populations as well as the provision of emergency shelter and essential household items (14%). Remaining funds will be dedicated to food assistance (40%), and prevention and treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition (15%) in the regions of Lac, Kanem, Bar- El Gazal, Guera and Wadi Fira.

"Additional support is essential because this CERF funding will only partly cover priority humanitarian needs. It is also necessary to implement durable solutions to support the livelihood of affected population and thereby reduce aid dependency" said Mr. Florent Méhaule, Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Chad.

The allocation of these CERF funds comes at a critical time, while only 13% of the funding necessary to the implementation of 2016 humanitarian response plan have been received so far.

The projects approved by the CERF will be implemented in the next six months by UN agencies in partnership with NGOs and State services. The funds will be managed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Florent Méhaule, Head of Office, mehaule@un.org, Tel. +23568851004
Ms. Mayanne Munan, Public Information Officer, munan@un.org, Tel. +23562934826
OCHA press release are available on: www.unocha.org ou www.reliefweb.int.