US Senator Biden Leads Delegation Visit to IRC-managed Camp in Chad

A US government mission led by Delaware Senator Joseph Biden visited the IRC-managed Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad this week. 

The delegation, which also included the US Ambassador to Chad and staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arrived in the remote northeastern town of Bahai on May 31 and was greeted by local officials and representatives of UN and aid groups.  IRC field coordinator Jan Kannathodath briefed the mission on humanitarian conditions for Darfur refugees at the camp and summarized programs available to them.

The delegation later toured the camp and met with refugee leaders, who discussed the eagerness of displaced Darfurians to return to their communities of origin in Sudan and be compensated for their losses. 

The delegation also visited two IRC-run schools where they were warmly welcomed by teachers and students. In addition, several members of the delegation also joined the IRC’s Dr. Camilo Valderrama for a briefing on health services at the camp.