Amid Unrest, IRC Maintains Services for Refugees in Chad

Abeche, CHAD - 14 Apr 2006 -   Despite an outbreak of fighting in Chad between rebels and government troops, the International Rescue Committee continues to provide services to some 30,000 refugees from Darfur, Sudan, being sheltered at the IRC-managed Oure Cassoni camp in the northeastern part of the country.

At the recommendation of the United Nations, Julie Dargis, IRC country director based in Abeche, said that non-essential staff members are being evacuated from Chad to Cameroon. 

To augment the staff remaining in the country, three veteran staff members are being dispatched to Chad: Gillian Dunn, director of the Emergency Response and Preparedness Unit; Bob Kitchen, emergency response team coordinator; and Eric le Guen, global security advisor.

The IRC has been operating in Chad for over two years, assisting refugees who crossed the border to flee attacks by rampaging Janjaweed militia.