CHAD : TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE FROM COVID-19’S IMPACT IN THE SANITARY DISTRICT OF ABÉCHÉ
Chad, as every other country worldwide, has been facing COVID-19’s pandemia for several months now. Mid-January 2021, there was about 2895 cases of contamination and 111 deaths recorded*.
According to the local media, the government is planning the arrival and management of the COVID-19’s vaccines in the country. But before everything is set up, preventive measures still are the best way to limitate the epidemia’s propagation.
High movements of population
The Chadian government has put measures in place to stop the sickness from spreading and reduce the impact on Chad’s population, who is already very vulnerable because of the porous borders it shares with many other countries (Sudan, CAR, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Libya).
Internal and external movements of populations (refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons), the lack of support partners for the mobilisation and community-based participation add difficulties to the situation.
This vulnerability is increased in the Ouaddaï province because of a lack of basic social services. In addition, because of its geographical location, this province is at a crossroad of humans and goods flows.
Mothers awareness session about exclusive breastfeeding at Koibo Health Centre. © Première Urgence Internationale.
Raising awareness among the communities
Since August 2020, Première Urgence Internationale has been carrying out several actions in Chad with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’-Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
The goals of these projects, among others, is to protect the most vulnerable populations from the impacts of COVID-19 by reducing the risks of propagation and transmission.
The activities are conducted in 12 responsability areas of the health district which are: Ahmed El Badaoui, Islamique, Evangélique, Simaradjana, Kacha, Taiba, Chic-Chika,Moura, Salamat, Mabrouka, Djatinié, et Kamina.
Diaporama of the various missions taking place in the Abéché district:
© Première Urgence Internationale.
Multiple factors to take into account
In addition to the global warming issue, Chad is strongly lacking of doctors and qualified health staff in general. The water access is scarce and the agricultural production low, which brings numerous cases of malnutrition.
Première Urgence Internationale began its intervention in the country in 2004 to intervene with the Sudanese refugees and the Chadian population who fled from the conflict in Darfur. According to a report updated at the beginning of January 2021 : there are 470 000 refugees on the Chadian territory and 236 000 internally displaced people.
This project to response to COVID-19 in the health district of Abéché in Chad is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’-Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS).
*According to this statistic website
