Situation Calms in Chad, IRC Refugee Services Uninterrupted

Following last week’s unsuccessful rebel assault on Chad’s capital N’Djamena, the situation in the country is now calm, IRC staff in the country report.

Throughout the crisis, which began last week, the IRC has continued to assist some 30,000 refugees from Sudan’s troubled Darfur province who are sheltered at the IRC-managed Oure Cassoni camp in the northeastern part of Chad. All vital services in the camp have been provided as normal, including the running of health clinics, schools and the provision of clean water.

“IRC key staff on the ground continue to closely monitor security and protection inside the camp,” said Anne Goforth, IRC’s program officer for the East Africa and the Horn.

Goforth said that 16 non-essential expatriate staff members who were evacuated to neighbouring Cameroon last Saturday will not return until the situation has fully stabilized.

“All are safe and in good spirits, although they are anxious to return to their posts as soon as possible,” she said. “We expect that they will return as soon as it is safe to do so following the elections in Chad, scheduled for May 3.”

The IRC has been operating in Chad since early 2004, assisting refugees who crossed the border to flee attacks by the feared Janjaweed militia.