Chad is facing a massive influx of refugees from Sudan, putting further pressure on its limited resources. SWISSAID is launching an emergency project to support 4,500 families in one of the country’s largest camps, by improving access to water and food security.
Facts
Aims
The overall aim is to improve food security and access to water, and to strengthen peaceful cohabitation between refugees and the local population. Activities are aimed at a total of 4,500 households, 80% of which are refugees and 20% locals. To achieve this, the project is divided into two phases: emergency aid with food parcels and seeds for 3,000 needy families, and a longer-term perspective through the improvement of food production using agro-ecological production techniques, the creation of vegetable gardens and the improvement of access to drinking water through the construction of new wells.
In both phases, the promotion of peace is essential to ensure peaceful coexistence between refugees and the local population. Activities in this direction will be cross-cutting at all stages of the project.
The 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. The humanitarian situation is dire: already scarce resources, such as food and water, are under immense strain, and access to medical care is critically limited. This poses existential challenges not only for the refugees but also for the local population. The recent suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid has further exacerbated the crisis.
In the Farchana refugee camp, located in eastern Chad near the Sudanese border, living conditions are extremely harsh. Since the start of the civil war, the number of refugees has more than doubled, reaching 1.3 million in February 2025. According to the Red Cross, this represents the world’s largest displacement crisis in one of the planet’s poorest countries.
Through its local office in N’Djamena, SWISSAID is launching an emergency project to help 4,500 families in the Farchana refugee camp.
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Short-term assistance
Initially, the project will provide food parcels containing essential staples to the most vulnerable families. At the same time, it will support farmers in maintaining stable agricultural production despite challenging climatic conditions. To achieve this, the project will distribute locally adapted seeds, tools, and fertilizers, along with training in sustainable farming methods. Additionally, efforts will focus on reducing health risks and improving living conditions by enhancing access to clean drinking water.
In detail:
9,000 food parcels
containing basic foodstuffs (sorghum, corn, flour, oil, salt) are distributed to 3,000 needy families over a nine-month period.
500 farmers and refugees
receive training in sustainable agriculture. 500 kilos of climate-adapted seeds, as well as fertilizer and farming tools, are provided.
10 water points
are built or rehabilitated to reduce the risk of infection and relieve existing infrastructure for 1,500 families. It also raises community awareness of hygiene and disease.
Long-term peace
The project also includes a long-term component aimed at fostering peace and social cohesion. This involves initiatives to ease ethnic tensions, strengthen dialogue between refugees and local communities, and create a more stable environment. Two dialogue forums will be organized to reduce tensions and promote peaceful coexistence, alongside training programs on conflict management for local stakeholders and leadership development for community leaders. Furthermore, joint infrastructure projects for youth and women—such as community centers and school gardens—will encourage cooperation and integration among different groups.
In detail:
5 structures collectives
are made available to young people and women (community centers, collective gardens, etc.).
500 players
and 100 local leaders are trained in peaceful conflict management and resolution.
Promoting social cohesion
and peaceful relations between refugees and indigenous communities through soccer matches, festivals and cultural exchanges.
The emergency aid is aimed at refugees from Sudan and the local population in the Farchana region of eastern Chad.
Our experience in the field
In addition to its wealth of experience in emergency projects, SWISSAID has a good knowledge of the field, having been active in several provinces of Chad for many years. Working closely with local authorities, SWISSAID’s coordination office in N’Djamena is leading the project and ensuring the sustainability and deployment of measures. This work is being carried out in partnership with local organizations (NGOs, refugee committees, women’s and youth organizations) who will play a crucial role in implementing the activities.