Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad INTERSOS Djabal and Goz Amir Camps Catherine Leila Poulton: Social Protection Coordinator Frederic Maio: Field Coordinator

Crisis in Darfur forces hundreds of thousands to flee from villages cross border into Chad first camps are opened by UNHCR Today 12 camps exist along the eastern border.

INTERSOS present in Chad since February Works in two most southern camps Djabal and Goz Amir. Total population of camps: and respectively. INTERSOS present in area of origin of refugees in Darfur since July 2004.

SECURITY Power vacuum due to president Deby’s frailty. Desertion from the army and organisation of rebel groups in the East. Adre attack on 18th December 2005 Declaration of state of war with Sudan.

Intensification of violence- 2 types of attacks: Rebel attacks (Adre, Iriba, Guereda) and Janjaweed attacks (Ade to Daghessa) In INTERSOS area of intervention, mainly latter type of violence- “darfurisation” of situation according to refugees Many Chadian villages abandoned/destroyed Chadian IDPs- estimated between 15,000 and 30,000. Worry of refugees Situation not likely to improve in near future

Lessons Learned Presence of IDPs emphasises the imbalance that exists between local population and refugees. Refugees worried and incredulous at lack of response so far to Chadian IDPs from the international community.

Lessons learned Avoiding culture of dependency, what happened between 2004 and Community participation: Buzzword or reality? Availability of funds, easier to do it than get it done, but what happens when funds dwindle?

Lessons learned - Conclusion Security seems unlikely to improve. Implementation of real community participation would have avoided many of the problems faced today. Needs of local population need to be taken into account from day one.