8/2/2008
European Commission Earmarks €2 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Chad Conflict Victims

The European Commission has set aside 2 million euros in humanitarian funding to help meet the basic needs of refugees, displaced people and other vulnerable groups affected by the current conflict in Chad. An emergency decision is being launched to support relief efforts following the rebel attack on N'Djamena.

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid explained: "I'm deeply concerned that we're seeing another serious humanitarian crisis developing and I want to be sure that humanitarian agencies have the means to help these vulnerable people as quickly as possible. The fighting in and around the Chadian capital has driven tens of thousands of people across the border into Cameroon. The situation is also extremely precarious for those still in the city. Conditions are still too chaotic to obtain a full assessment of the situation but what is clear is that many people are already suffering and we need to be geared up to help them as rapidly as possible."

The Commission is ready to fund the provision of basic essentials including food, clean water, hygiene kits, shelter, medical care and the logistics required to deliver aid to the victims.

Aid managed by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), is channelled through operational partners: UN and Red Cross agencies and non-governmental organisations specialising in relief work. ECHO experts have been sent to Cameroon to work with partner agencies and assess needs generated by the refugee influx.

The Commission already funds major humanitarian programmes in Eastern and Southern Chad, affected by refugee influxes from Darfur and Central Africa Republic respectively. €30.5 million was provided in 2007 and €30 million has been programmed for 2008