WHAT'S HAPPENED
Lake Chad is a large lake that that straddles Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. This region of Africa has been affected by conflict, displacement, food shortages and disease.
Conflict in northern Nigeria forced tens of thousands of people to flee from their homes in search of safety. People are without access to safe water and many have lost their livelihoods.
WV Chad team in meeting with local leaders to discuss water, sanitation and hygiene as well as child protection issues.
At the height of the crisis 11 million people needed humanitarian assistance across the four Lake Chad basin countries (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria). Most of the 2.4 million displaced families - including 1.4 million children – were taken in by local communities (that count among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable), sharing what little they have.
The humanitarian crisis in Niger is worsening due in particular to the persistence of the security crisis, and multiple crises in Diffa, including hepatitis. Growing insecurity on the borders of Mali and protracted displacements in the Diffa region due to Boko Haram attacks, compound a context of sustained poverty and limited access to basic social services.
The people of Diffa continue to face the consequences of conflict. An estimated 252,305 (October 2017), people are living in camps or host communities without great prospects for immediate return. They have deep vulnerability and significant needs.
419,000 people will need humanitarian assistance in Diffa, Niger in 2018
Children always suffer the consequences of conflict the most. Almost half of the displaced people in Nigeria were children. Over 1 million of them are fighting for survival in hard-to-reach places.
One-year-old Aicha was one of 1.4 million vulnerable children in the forgotten Lake Chad Basin crisis, who needed safe water.
Read his story here »
Click here to read the Lake Chad Basin Crisis Response >>
HOW WE HELPED
Overall we’ve reached 68,000 refugees and displaced people with our life-saving humanitarian support.
In Diffa we’ve set up a safe place where children can play and learn:
Families displaced and living in Niger's Diffa region were also at risk from an outbreak of Hepatitis E in the area. Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by a water-borne virus. It's new to Niger, so diagnosis is difficult - and there is no treatment for it. The disease is spread mainly through contaminated water.
With funding from Start Fund we’ve:
- given out 1,863 hygiene kits, benefitting 13,040 individuals
- trained 145 community hygiene promoters and volunteers
- cleaned and disinfected 11 latrines, benefitting 30,303 people
- run clean-up campaigns in four communities
37,402 people are now better prepared against the Hepatitis E outbreak and have the means and knowledge to protect themselves from future potential water-borne diseases.
Read our May 2017 press release on this work »
As experts in water, sanitation and hygiene in emergencies, we drilled and restored boreholes, built emergency latrines, distributed soap and hand washing kits and organised hygiene sessions for children. We drilled three boreholes in Chad and two in Niger.
Read our latest case study: Abubacar's story ›
WHAT NEXT?
World Vision Chad is continuing high-impact relief activities to meet the priority needs of refugees, returnees, displaced people and host communities in the Lake Chad region. Access to drinking water and the promotion of good hygiene practices have been intensified as well as those of child protection.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Give to our Emergency response appeal fund so we can respond quickly in countries like Chad and Niger.
Please join us in prayer.
STORIES AND BLOGS
Meet the girls using football to challenge gender stereotypes
Thursday 14, Jun, 2018As the World Cup gets underway, we visit a group of girls in South Sudan using the beautiful game to make a difference.
The Universality of playing
Thursday 08, Jun, 2017Following a recent trip to a refugee camp in Niger, our Senior Conflict Advisor Sarah Pickwick reflects on how our Child Friendl…
Syria's Refugees: Ahmad never had a hobby before
Thursday 01, Jun, 2017Joining our Child Friendly Space in Lebanon gave Ahmad an opportunity to learn new skills and games, make new friends and start …