Southern Chad remains a major destination in the region for Central Africans who have been forced to flee their homes. The outbreak of sectarian violence following the rise and fall of the Seleka movement in 2013 caused the displacement of around15,100 new CAR refugees into the south of Chad, bringing the total number of CAR refugee to over 73,000 individuals. 55,000 of these individuals are Chadian nationals who felt compelled to flee from CAR after the wave of violence and insecurity. These Chadian “returnees” are living in the southern parts of Chad, in very substandard conditions, and a large number of them do not have family ties in Chad and are at risk of statelessness if not properly documented by the Chadian Government to confirm or recognize their Chadian nationality.
Protracted CAR refugees are undergoing a critical period in their effort towards greater self-reliance. As WFP has reduced its food ration to less than 800 Kcal/person/day since February 2014, CAR refugees are now compelled to care for themselves. An estimated 30 per cent of CAR refugees have been considered self-reliant by various sources, including WFP assessment.
Faced with limited voluntary return prospects and uncertainty about local integration, the only durable solution is resettlement. In 2013, over 3,100 refugees received general information on comprehensive solutions (including resettlement) and 46 cases involving 172 individuals were submitted to resettlement countries by the Regional Office in Dakar. By the end of 2013, a total of 77 cases for 306 individuals departed on resettlement.
Thanks to advocacy work undertaken by UNHCR, the Minister of Home Affairs authorized the installation of CAR refugees in Chadian villages in September of 2013. Henceforth out-of-camp settlement has been offered as the best alternative to protracted stay in refugee camps. Five host villages are already hosting more than 1,900 CAR refugees.
The office achieved another major accomplishment after having successfully registered 100 per cent of new incoming CAR refugees, and provided all individuals 18 years an above with appropriate protection documents.
- In Moyo around 75 per cent of refugees received their ID cards. Cards for refugees living in Gore and Maro have been produced and are pending distribution.
- Cooperation with civil status registration centres and with registrars was significantly improved; around 95 per cent of children under 12 months old born in the camp were issued birth certificates by the authorities (100 per cent in Moyo camp).
- In addition the office witnessed the enrolment of over 1,000 students in secondary school (125 among which were newly arrived).
- There has also been some noticeable progress to reduce the risk of SGBV and improve the quality of response. Some 280 cases of SGBV were reported, (39 per cent of which were related to domestic violence and 11 per cent of which were related to rape). Close to 600 persons have been trained on SGBV related topics during 2013. These steps have encouraged increased community involvement in the prevention and response to SGVB.