IRC Aid Workers Keep Programs Open in Chad; Others Evacuate

N 04 Feb 2008 - The IRC is keeping relief programs up and running for 28,000 refugees from Darfur at a camp in northeastern Chad in the wake of a weeklong rebellion by rebels that has threatened the Chadian government. IRC staff members are administering health, water, sanitation, education and other programs at the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Bahai on the border with Sudan.

Five IRC staff members, meanwhile, who work in the IRC’s administrative office in the besieged capital city of Ndjamena were evacuated to Gabon by a French military plane. Eleven other IRC staff members in the towns of Abeche and Bahai were evacuated today to Cameroon as a precaution.

“Bahai remains calm, but this could change in a moment,” said Marc Levesque, IRC field coordinator in northeastern Chad. “Most of our Chadian staff has relatives in Ndjamena and in other volatile areas.  They’re very worried about their families, but they’re also committed to keeping our relief programs open.”

A rebellion aimed at toppling Chad’s president erupted last week when rebel troops entered the capital. Exchanges of gunfire took place close to the IRC’s office forcing staff members to leave. So far, at least 1,000 people have been wounded and an unknown number killed, according to the International Red Cross. Despite a lull in the fighting, up to 20,000 people have fled Ndjamena for the town of Kouserri in Cameroon, according to UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency.

IRC IN CHAD AT A GLANCE

Program began: 2004

Serves: 44,000 people: 28,000 Darfuri refugees at the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in northeastern Chad and 16,000 residents of the host community.

Programs: Health care, environmental health, primary school education, youth recreation.

Story updated 07 Feb 2008