03 Mar 2008 - The International Rescue Committee is working to restore normal operations in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, even as it assesses damages to its office that were sustained during the recent attack on the city by rebel forces seeking to topple the country’s government.

IRC operations in the city were severely affected by the outbreak of fighting, which began on Feb. 2 and lasted a week before rebel troops withdrew.  The IRC offices were ransacked and equipment was destroyed or removed.

In the wake of the fighting, a portion of the IRC staff was evacuated from the city.  Some of them have begun returning to re-establish operations, which support IRC programs in northeastern Chad for refugees from Darfur. 

Essential programs have continued to operate, including the provision of water and sanitation services and health care.  

Since 2004, the IRC has assisted nearly 30,000 Darfuri refugees and 16,000 residents of the host community at the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in northeastern Chad. The IRC is providing health care, environmental health services, primary school education and youth recreation activities.

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