Chad is facing a massive influx of refugees from Sudan. Essential resources such as food and water are scarce. SWISSAID has launched an emergency aid project to support 10,000 families in one of the country’s largest refugee camps and surrounding villages, aiming to improve access to water and food security.
Facts
Aims
The overarching goal is to improve food security and access to clean water, while also fostering peaceful coexistence between refugees and the local population. The project targets a total of 10,000 families, of which 80% are refugees and 20% are local residents. The following measures are planned:
- Rapid emergency aid with food and seed packages for 3,000 particularly vulnerable families
- Access to clean drinking water for 5,000 families through the construction and rehabilitation of wells
- Training for both refugees and locals in agroecological farming methods and the joint creation of vegetable gardens to sustainably improve food production
- Measures to promote peaceful coexistence
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee. In neighboring Chad, over a million Sudanese refugees—mainly women and children—are seeking safety from the violence and horrors of war. As of June 2025, their number exceeds 1.4 million. According to the Red Cross, this is currently the world’s largest displacement crisis, occurring in one of the poorest countries in the world.
The humanitarian situation is particularly dire in Farchana refugee camp in eastern Chad, near the Sudanese border. Essential resources such as food and water are scarce, and there is a lack of medical care—posing an existential threat not only to the refugees but also to the local population. The suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid has further exac-erbated the situation.
Support Farchana Emergency Relief Efforts
Food Parcels, Drinking Water, and Seeds
Through its coordination office in N’Djamena, SWISSAID has launched a project to support 3,000 families in the Farchana refugee camp during this emergency.
To improve food security, the project provides food parcels containing staple foods for the most vulnerable families. At the same time, farmers are supported in maintaining stable agricultural production despite challenging climatic conditions. SWISSAID distributes seeds, tools, and fertilizers adapted to local conditions and trains farming families in sustainable agricultural practices. The project also aims to reduce health risks and im-prove living conditions by enhancing access to clean drinking water.
In detail:
9,000 food parcels
will be distributed over nine months to 3,000 vulnerable families.
500 farmers and refugees
will receive training in agroecology. 500 kilograms of climate-resilient seed, as well as fertilizer and farming tools, will be provided.
10 wells
will be built or rehabilitated. Hygiene and disease prevention awareness campaigns will be conducted in 10 communities.
Long-term peace
The project also includes a long-term peacebuilding component aimed at reducing ethnic tensions, improving dialogue between refugees and local residents, and fostering a peaceful environment. Two dialogue forums are planned, along with training in conflict management for local actors and capacity-building for local leaders. In addition, infrastructure projects for youth and women—such as community centers and school gardens—are intended to strengthen collaboration among different groups.
Long-Term Measures
5 community spaces
will be made available to women and youth (e.g., community centers, gardens, etc.).
500 local actors and 100 community leaders
will be trained in conflict management and peaceful conflict resolution.
Promoting social cohesion
of social cohesion and peaceful relationships between refugees and host communities through football matches, festivals, and cultural exchange events.
The emergency aid is aimed at refugees from Sudan and the local population in the Farchana region of eastern Chad.
Our experience in this Area
SWISSAID brings long-standing experience in emergency aid and in-depth local knowledge, having worked for many years in several provinces of Chad. The project is managed by SWISSAID’s coordination office in N’Djamena in close cooperation with local authorities, ensuring sustainable implementation of the measures. This work is carried out in partnership with local organizations (NGOs, refugee committees, and women’s and youth groups), which play a vital role in implementation.
Image copyright for header and donation form: Peter Caton
