With the support of the European Union, INTERSOS has been carrying out a humanitarian assistance project for conflict-affected and displaced people in the province of Lac, Chad, since mid-2022.
The province of Lac, situated in the complex context of Lake Chad, has been facing significant security challenges since 2015, resulting from clashes between armed groups.
According to the UNHCR statistical report of February 2022, the area is home to 406,573 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 19,415 refugees from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger.
This region is further impacted by natural disasters, especially severe floods, which have brought cold waves and strong winds, leading to the spread of various diseases, particularly among women and children. In January 2022, a cholera and measles epidemic was declared in the Lake Chad islands bordering Cameroon.
In this critical context, women and children are the most vulnerable to aggression and violence, with Fouli, Mamdi, and Kaya being particularly alarming areas. In 2021, these three departments recorded a total of 1,688 cases of gender-based violence, averaging 45 cases per month per health district.
Thanks to the support of the European Union, INTERSOS aims to ensure secure and unhindered access to facilities that provide assistance to women and children who are survivors of violence. The project includes reinforcing the existing ‘Espaces Amis d’Enfance’ (EAE), ‘Espaces Amis de la Femme’ (EAFF), and listening centers, as well as establishing five ‘Information and Feedback Centres’ (CIF) to offer a safe space for 36,565 people to receive help and psychological support.
Furthermore, the project involves collaborative risk mitigation efforts with local communities to enhance overall protection.