Weeks of severe flooding in Chad have affected nearly 2 million people, claiming 576 lives and displacing thousands. The flooding has caused widespread devastation across Lake, Mandoul, Moyen Chari, Tandjilé, and other provinces, including the capital N’Djaména, where thousands of homes and vast agricultural lands have been destroyed. Flooded roads and damaged bridges are blocking humanitarian access to affected communities, such as Koukou in Sila province and Bédaya in Mandoul province, heightening the risk of excess mortality and morbidity. Vulnerabilities for women and girls have intensified, particularly due to the use of schools as emergency shelters, which disrupts the educational system and exposes adolescent girls to additional risks. With further rains expected, the outlook remains bleak for those already facing substantial hardships.
In response, UNFPA has intensified efforts to ensure continued access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in flood-affected areas. Life-saving reproductive health supplies, including emergency obstetric kits, have been distributed to health facilities. These facilities are supported by 148 UNFPA-deployed humanitarian midwives across Eastern, Southern, and Lake Provinces, who provide essential services, such as antenatal care and safe deliveries. UNFPA has also expanded psychosocial support through 12 women and girls’ safe spaces, reaching thousands with GBV prevention and response activities. Additionally, essential dignity kits have been distributed to displaced women and girls, while tents provided by UNFPA are facilitating the establishment of new safe spaces in refugee camps.
For 2024, Chad’s appeal for US$ 21.1 million to support SRH and protection services remains largely underfunded, with only 40.7% of the required funds secured. This leaves a funding gap of US$ 12.5 million, threatening the continuation of critical support as the needs of women and girls continue to escalate amid the ongoing flood crisis.
