Emergencies

Challenges

The humanitarian situation in Chad is best described as a prolonged multidimensional crisis caused by displacement of people fleeing conflict in neighboring countries, consistent food insecurity and high rates of malnutrition resulting from a conjunction of factors such as the economic crisis, natural hazards natural including rainfall deficit in large grazing areas, and decrease in agricultural production, as well as a vulnerability to epidemics such as cholera, meningitis and measles. All these interact in a structurally deficient environment where social services are inadequate for the population’s most basic needs.

In 2026, it is expected that 4,5 million people including 2,5million children will be in need of humanitarian assistance resulting from a conjunction of three majors' crisis i.e. food insecurity and malnutrition, people displacement and a health crisis.

Chad is currently hosting 2, 283, 072 displaced people including 1, 569, 233 refugees and asylum seekers fleeing armed conflicts and insecurity in Nigeria, the Central African Republic and Sudan. In the east, 964,438 New arrivals Sudanese refugees (54 per cent women and girls and 58 per cent children) since 2023 and 409,819 Sudanese refugees in Chad before the 2023 crisis. 219,595 internally displaced persons are registered in the Lakep province, and approximately 484,690 Chadian have returned from neighboring countries. 146,556 central Africans located in the six camps, sites, and host villages in the south and in urban areas. 22, 693 Nigerians Primarily located in the Dar Es Salam camp and host villages in the Lake Province as well as in urban areas. 7,123 Cameroonians mainly composed of populations who fled intercommunal clashes in the Logone and Chari department in Cameroon. They are in the two camps around N'Djamena and on the banks of the Logone River. 1,669 other nationalities Outside the major nationalities, there are individuals of various origins: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Mali, Islamic Republic of Iran, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Palestine, Yemen (document - unhcr chad| forcibly displaced persons (august 2026)

Nearly 3.2 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity during the June–August 2026 lean season. In addition, an estimated 2 million children aged 6–59 months are suffering or expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between October 2025 and September 2026, including nearly 484,000 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). (Cadre Harmonisé Analysis, March 2026.Chad Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2026; Nutrition Cluster Chad 2026).

The country is currently facing a cholera epidemic that was declared on 18 June 2026 in Karal (Hadjer Lamis province) and to date has recorded more than 1,188 cumulative cases with 51 deaths on 20 September. 4 affected provinces: Hadjer Lamis, N'Djamena, Lac, and Chari-Baguirmi.

The 2026 rainy season was characterized by insufficient rainfall distribution, leading to a rainfall deficit in large grazing areas, and decrease in agricultural production. In 2026, the nutritional situation continued to deteriorate due to the economic crisis

Solutions

UNICEF adopts an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to address the humanitarian needs of crisis-affected populations in Chad while strengthening access to essential social services and enhancing the capacities of national and decentralized institutions. In line with the humanitarian-development nexus, UNICEF seeks to ensure that emergency interventions not only save lives and alleviate suffering but also contribute to building community resilience and strengthening local systems for sustainable service delivery.

Education interventions focus on restoring and expanding equitable access to quality learning opportunities for out-of-school and vulnerable children through the construction and rehabilitation of temporary and permanent learning spaces, the provision of teaching and learning materials, and support to teachers. UNICEF also delivers life-saving WASH services by increasing access to safe drinking water, promoting hygiene practices, and ensuring access to dignified sanitation facilities in affected communities.

To address the growing burden of child malnutrition, UNICEF works closely with government counterparts and partners to expand access to both preventive and curative nutrition services, including community-based nutrition interventions, the provision of specialized nutritious foods, and treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In accordance with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs), UNICEF further supports essential health services through routine and emergency immunization, disease prevention and response measures, and continuity of HIV prevention and treatment services for pregnant women, mothers, and children. Through these integrated interventions, UNICEF aims to protect children's rights, reduce vulnerabilities, and support resilient recovery in communities affected by humanitarian crises.