Hundreds of humanitarian workers temporarily evacuated and aid supply chains interrupted as violence worsens in eastern Chad

A wave of violence has forced the temporary evacuation of over 400 humanitarian staff in eastern Chad in the past two weeks, severely interrupting the provision of humanitarian aid, said international agency Oxfam today. The serious deterioration of security in the region bordering Darfur threatens to cause a major health and food crisis for hundreds of thousands of people.

In the past three weeks, rebel groups and government forces have been fighting in and around several cities in eastern Chad, including some of the most important humanitarian bases, such as Abeche, Goz Beida, Guereda and Biltine. Fighting has interrupted humanitarian activities and aid supply chains. The six refugee camps north of Abeche, sheltering 110,000 men, women and children from Darfur, have been worst affected. Increased insecurity has also led to the UN stopping food aid to 56,000 Chadians who recently fled their villages as a result of inter-ethnic violence.

Around 25 humanitarian staff have suffered serious attacks and three aid agencies’ warehouses have been looted in Abeche and Goz Beida in recent weeks. Tons of basic aid, including food, tents, kitchen sets and medical supplies, have been lost. More than 50 humanitarian vehicles have been hijacked this year alone.

As a result, humanitarian agencies have reduced their programs in eastern Chad to strictly life-saving activities, such as the provision of health care, drinking water and food aid.

Oxfam has temporarily evacuated 16 of their 24 international aid workers from eastern Chad, with some now in the Chadian capital, N’djamena, and others outside the country. The minimum staff required to maintain water supply for 32,000 refugees in two camps in Djabal and Goz Amer, and for some 20,000 Chadians who have fled recent violence in the area remain in eastern Chad.

"Thousands of displaced people in need risk being cut off from life-saving aid as the security situation forces us to evacuate staff," said Roland Van Hauwermeiren, Oxfam’s Country Program Manager in Chad. "Though some aid is continuing to reach people, unless we can get back in soon, the situation will start to deteriorate rapidly."

Oxfam is calling for all parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, requiring safety for civilians and access to assistance from impartial humanitarian agencies. Oxfam is also asking the United Nations to maintain essential humanitarian coordination functions in eastern Chad. A total withdrawal by UN agencies and international NGOs would give free reign to unrest and uncontrolled violence in the region.