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FROM THE FIELD

ACT Rapid Response Payment: Chadian refugees in Cameroon
21 Feb 2008 16:55:00 GMT
 Source: Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Elisabeth Gouel

Website: Website: http://www.act-intl.org

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Background

•  Chad troubles

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Rapid Response Payment Request No. 10/08

Funds sent to: Eglise Fraternelle Luthérienne du Cameroun (EFLC)

Amount Sent: US$ 50,000

Date: 19 February 2008

Details of Response

Emergency: Chadian refugees in Cameroon following fighting in N'Djamena

Date of Emergency: 4 February 2008

Implementing Member: Eglise Fraternelle Luthérienne du Cameroun (EFLC) in collaboration with the National Council of Churches in Kousseri and support from Lutheran World Federation/World Service (LWF/WS).

Details of the Emergency: On February 2, 2008, rebels entered Chad's capital city, N'Djamena, with the objective to topple the government. Fierce fighting erupted when government forces fought back. On February 5, the government claimed to have gained control of the situation, but the threat from the estimated 3,000 rebels who had launched the assault, is not believed over yet. As of 7 February, according to the Red Cross, it is estimated that at least 160 people were killed and 1,000 injured. Due to the fighting, thousands of Chadians have fled N'Djamena. According to the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, about 30,000 people fled the conflict and found refuge in the Kousseri area in Cameroon across from the Chari River.

Although the fighting has ceased and the government has recovery control of the city the movement of refugees is continuing back and forward ever since. The longer term outlook concerning this emergency is still unclear, however it is expected that a certain number of refugees who sided with the rebel force during the conflict may opt to stay, rather than face possible arrest and persecution in Chad. Refugees interviewed indicate that they will wait a little longer before making up their minds about going back. Many have fears for their security.

The EFLC, with the support of the LWF/WS in Chad, have assessed the situation. Churches, houses and hospitals in Kousseri are crammed beyond capacity. The EFLC has estimated that more than 6,000 persons have been registered after the clashes looking for shelter in the parishes of Kousseri, Maltam, Madagascar, Pont Ngeli, Kawadji (three parishes), Blangwa and Lakka. These numbers include about 700 families but also many individuals without families. due to the fluid situation it is not possible to draw specific profiles of the refugee population, but there is indication of a large number of women and children among the groups and a large number of youth of school age. Numbers of children and youths are estimated to be two-thirds of the refugee population, due to the fact that men went back to Ndjamena to take care of their homes, leaving their families behind.

Since then the number of refugees sheltered in the parishes has dropped and as of 12/02/2008 about 2,500 persons were living in the shelters. The most urgent needs identified are: food, medical care and medicine, water and sanitation, and temporary shelter in order to free schools and churches for regular services, which have so far been suspended.

Proposed assistance

The purpose of the response is to mitigate the immediate and life threatening humanitarian suffering of the refugees located in the above mentioned parishes of the "'Eglise Fraternelle Lutherienne du Cameroon" (6500 persons at the beginning of the crisis, 2,500 at the moment).

Beneficiary information and location of response

2,500 persons presently living in shelters in the EFLC parishes of Kousseri, Maltam, Madagascar, Pont Ngeli, Kawadji (3 parishes), Blangwa and Lakka. The assistance will be provided giving priority to the most vulnerable population, among which first of all children and mothers, handicapped and elderly. The Church staff together with the affected population will select the most vulnerable to be benefited by the assistance.

Proposed Support

The ACT member EFLC is planning to support the refugee population with food, water, shelter and medical care. Specifically, EFLC plans to provide support as follows:

Food: 2,143 food packages will be distributed to the most vulnerable persons. Packages will consist of rice, fish/meat, cooking oil, salt, and firewood/charcoal. The EFLC will seek partnership with other UN and relief agencies to complement the food needs.

Water has been distributed at 8 church sites from water taps installed at the sites. The budget will cover the cost expected from the water and electricity authority. A provision is made for 2500 cubic meters distributed, which is based on the estimated water use of a 20 litres per person per day for a total of 30 days. This will cover the need of water for 6,500 refugees for the first 10 days after the crisis and for 2,500 persons for another 20 days living in the shelters.

Temporary shelter: Local materials and plastic sheets will be provided to the families who will need to evacuate the schools and churches in order that their normal activities be restored. A lump sum is included as it is not yet clear how many of the refugees will return and how many will stay.

Medical care: At the moment refugees needing medical attention are sent to the hospital which charges 500cfa per consultation. However the same church medical post is in the process of recruiting a nurse to provide medical care to refugees, and a budget line for medical care has been added to this budget. Budget includes provision for consultations for 2,500 persons. A provisional medical post at Kousseri is distributing medicines to refugees. To this end, a lump sum is foreseen for medicines to be purchased to replace the present funds used by the Church and to purchase additional medicines when funds remain.

Transportation: This line cover fuel costs for motorcycles for facilitators and the coordinator, and the costs for transportation and handling fees of food supply.

Coordination and administration: The EFLC has established an emergency committee to supervise the implementation. A coordinator, Mr Ernest Fangarique, has been appointed and he will be in charge of the implementation and reporting. This budget line will cover the cost of salary of the coordinator during implementation and administration fees (telephone, office, reporting). A separate account has been opened to handle the RRF funds.

LWF/DWS program in Chad will assist the Church in monitoring the implementation and preparing the reports. To this end, a budget line will cover the costs of assistance, monitoring and reporting for LWF/WS (flight, salary and per diem).

Needs assessment: In case the crisis continues and follow on activities will be necessary, the appeal includes a budget for a needs assessment consisting of a field visit of the LWF coordinator in Chad to the area, and recruitment of local experts.

Implementation period: The activities are proposed to be implemented within 3 months. During this time a proper assessment of the situation will be developed and an ACT appeal might be necessary for the continuation of the assistance.

BUDGET - TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE: US$ 50,000

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 50,000 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment. Should there be an appeal for this emergency, the RRF payment will be considered as an advance.

(ends)

ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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