ABSTRACT Report on the scoping visit to the Lac Region of Chad as part of World Vision’s Lake Chad Basin Emergency Response.
LAKE CHAD BASIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE SCOPING VISIT
PART 1 - CHAD
Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
Scoping Visit: Chad October 2016 Contents Introduction ...... 1 KEY PROBLEMS AND IMPACT ...... 2 COMMUNITY ASSETS ...... 3 POPULATION ...... 4 MARKET ...... 5 AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE ...... 6 VULNERABILITY ...... 7 DIVIDERS AND CONNECTORS ...... 8 ANNEX A: INTERVIEW GUIDE ...... 9 ANNEX B: LIST OF WV INTERVIEWERS ...... 10 ANNEX C: LIST OF KEY AGENCIES/INFORMANTS/COMMUNITIES INTERVIEWED ...... 10
Introduction The World Vision West Africa Regional Leader declared a WV CAT III global response for the Lake Chad Basin area on 28 September 2016. World Vision multi sectoral humanitarian operations team conducted a rapid needs, gaps, operational feasibility and security assessment, in western Chad. This is to guide the establishment of a response operation site in the Lac region of Chad.
Over the last four months, Boko Haram has intensified attacks in the Lake Chad Basin pushing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, despite regional efforts to curb the insurgency. In Chad alone, 275,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance. WFP has reported that security incidents in the Lac Region in Chad, close to the border with Niger, have multiplied in August and September 2016, resulting in a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation and an increase in the number of refugees, internally displaced and host communities affected by the violence. Within the Lac Region, there are 127,000 displaced people, including 6,600 refugees, and there are fears that the rising insecurity and large military operations could trigger new population displacement and movement (OCHA). Food security has continued to worsen, with more than 133,000 severely food insecure people in the region. Displaced communities are relying mainly on food assistance in a region where many of the host population are already highly vulnerable, and malnutrition rates continue to be above emergency thresholds (with more than 22,000 children under five suffering from severe malnutrition) (OCHA).
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
The initial scoping visit into Chad’s Lac region was conducted on from October 19 to 22, 2016 by the following members of the GRRT:
Kathryn Taetzsch, Response Director Patrick Sooma, Operations Director/Humanitarian Protection Rich Moseanko, Base Set Up/Logistics Rachelle Coates, Programmes Director Gomez Ismael, Security, Frieda Mwebe, CiE/Child Protection Godfrey Mawaa, WASH Programme Manager Ando Tiana Raobelison, Health & Nutrition
Fifteen key informants from UN Agencies, INGOs and community leaders were interviewed in the following locations:
1. Bol 2. Baga Sola 3. Dar Nahim Camp (on the outskirts of Baga Sola) 4. Liwa
75% of the locations were urban/peri-urban and 25% were informal settlements.
KEY PROBLEMS AND IMPACT Interviewees were asked to name the three main problems that their communities are facing right now.
PROBLEMS MENTIONED NUMBER OF TIMES EACH PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED Health/Nutrition 6 Food 5 Access to water (and WASH more generally) 5 Livelihoods/Resilience 2 Education 2 Access to documentation (ID, births, etc) 2
In the discussions, it was noted that these problems impact the three main groups in each community – host communities, internally displaced persons and refugees – and it was repeatedly stressed to the assessment team the importance of not targeting one of these groups over the other, but to respond to the needs across all groups to avoid creating division and conflict. The needs in this region were significant before the displacement and movement of people occurred, and while the communities have generally
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016 been welcoming to the internally displaced and refugees, it has stretched to the limit what little resources they already had.
It was also noted in one of the interviews in Baga Sola that up to 100 suspected Boko Haram militants, including minors, had recently surrendered themselves. All of the ex-militants were Chadian, and are being held somewhere in Baga Sola for a de-radicalization programme, which may create some additional security concerns for the town.
Further, in regards to health, it was noted that in Bol the major public health priorities seen in the health clinics are respiratory infections, diarrhea, malaria and malnutrition.
COMMUNITY ASSETS
ASSET TYPE LOCATIONS CONDITION OTHER NOTES Water Dar Narhim Camp 1 functioning borehole 7,854 people in this community (near Baga Sola) 1 non-functioning borehole Bol and Baga Sola There is a problem with the (overall) boreholes that have been installed over the past 12 months or so. A large proportion of these have broken down, either from overuse, poor quality materials, or poor construction. Interventions to date have focused on the provision of potable water, rather than hygiene and sanitation activities (likely for second phase). Sanitation Dar Narhim Camp Latrines are functioning, A reasonable number of latrines facilities (near Baga Sola) but not being used have been provided, but are not being used (too hot, don’t like them enclosed, etc).
Schools/ Dar Narhim Camp School building has School is not currently being used education (near Baga Sola) been established, in as teachers are currently on strike – facilities reasonable condition have not been paid for 25 months
Health facilities Dar Narhim Camp One health clinic has Some respondents indicated that (near Baga Sola) been established, but they were unhappy with the not well equipped. treatment being received there as they felt that the nurse was refusing treatment – specifically the provision of plumpy nut. Run by IMC. Bol/Baga Sola/Liwa There are 43 health For WHO, the main priority for clinics (Centre de Santé) health interventions is around
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
vaccination (polio campaign mainly, Some agencies have and measles). been using mobile These mobile clinics have been health clinics stopped by some agencies (due to security concerns and cost- effectiveness), and will be phased out by others in favour of focusing on building the capacity of existing health centres. Liwa Main hospital has basic The hospital is overburdened with supplies, but it more referrals from the surrounding like a clinic. There are a clinics – mainly from the displaced number of health clinics population. Insufficient supplies in the area (14+), but and staff to treat patients. HIV with poor structures. prevalence is high, particularly amongst the youth, but those coming from other areas lack information on HIV prevention.
It was noted by the Prefect of Baga Sola that all community assets (water points, schools, health facilities) have been strained by the influx of IDPs and refugees, but the community continues to welcome those fleeing other areas.
POPULATION
/Refugees
LOCATION HOUSEHOLDS # OF IDPs % ONLY HOST AND % IDPs HOST % ONLY CHANGES POPULATION no decrease, (increase, change) OF EXPLANATION CHANGE POPULATION SEPARATED # OF CHILDREN STAY? DO THEY WHERE Dar Narhim 1,731 100% 0% 0% Population Some 20 Makeshift camp (Baga HH fluctuates members of (approx.) shelters in Sola) the the camp community have decided to live in the bush and return only for distributions. Occasionally new arrivals will come.
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
Baga Sola 60,000 Not Not Not Continues Displacement Unknown Within the people known known known to increase of people community – has from within and in increased the Lac camps (a from region, but number of 30,000 to also from IDP and 60,000 Nigeria and refugee according Niger (80% of camps are to the IDPs are around prefect those from Baga Sola) the islands) Liwa 149,000 66% 33% Increased Large influx Reported Within the people from of people no community 49,000 to displaced by separated and in 149,000 Boko Haram children camps from surrounding areas
Note that these figures were provided by the key informants that were interviewed (prefect of Baga Sola, head of the hospital in Liwa and the leader of the Dar Narhim community). The assessment team has been unable to verify these figures.
MARKET In Dar Narhim camp (near Baga Sola) it was reported that sorghum, maize, rice, etc. are available locally, but other items have to be obtained from the market in Baga Sola. The indication was from those interviewed that if they were provided with cash, they would be able to procure their food needs from the market (either locally or in Baga Sola).
In driving through Bol, it was observed that there appears to be a reasonable range of commodities available in the markets, although no formal assessment was able to be undertaken. We were advised that Bol is an international market, with people coming from Niger and Nigeria as well as locally to trade there.
In Liwa, the Head of the District Hospital advised that there was very limited food available on the local market, and people are relying on food distributions from WFP.
Note that WFP has begun to do cash based programming in both Bol and Baga Sola as the markets are functioning well and access continues to improve. In Liwa and other locations WFP is still undertaking general food distributions as the markets are not functioning well and access is restricted due to insecurity and other factors.
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE Below is a table based on information given by key informants, which may not be exhaustive.
All communities are reportedly receiving some level of assistance.
LOCATION RECEIVING From whom? What kind of assistance ASSISTANCE? (yes or no) Dar Narhim camp Yes WFP Food distribution UNICEF WASH (boreholes & latrines) & education (school) IMC Health care Bol Yes WFP/Secadev Food/cash distribution IMC Health care Care Health care Baga Sola Yes WFP Food/cash distribution UNHCR NFIs & camp management UNICEF WASH & Education ACF WASH MSF Health Care/MHPSS IMC Health Care/MHPSS IRC Health Care Oxfam WASH, Protection Help Tchad WASH CRT WASH ADERBA WASH Handicap International Case management for children with a disability Dar Es Salaam Yes UNICEF Child Protection (CFS)/MHPSS Camp ICRC Family Tracing/Reunification Liwa Yes WFP/ACTED Food distribution IMC Health care MSF Health care IRC Health care Oxfam Camp management
Note: IOM is in charge of beneficiary registration.
It was reported by some agencies, including WFP, that where possible they are making use of cash- based programming. For example, WFP has started doing cash/voucher transfers instead of the distribution of food in Bol and Baga Sola where the market is functioning and accessible, and is looking to expand this to Liwa and Daboua in the future when markets regain their functionality and accessibility as the security situation improves.
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
VULNERABILITY Vulnerable Groups in these communities include:
Host communities – this region of Chad was already one of the poorest with extreme levels of poverty which have been exacerbated by the movement of IDPs and refugees into their communities. Internally displaced persons – these make up the largest number of those moving into the host communities. Refugees – largely fleeing from Nigeria, but also Niger. There are small numbers of unaccompanied/separated children, but the numbers that were reported by the key informants interviewed were not as high as was expected. There were some reports of increased vulnerability of women due to rising rates of SGBV, although it was also noted that this was not talked about in the communities at all.
Displacement and violence have affected these groups in the following ways:
Many of those who are displaced in the Lac region are internally displaced from the islands in the basin, who either fled or were forcibly removed from the islands by the government. These people were traditionally fisherman and pastoralists, and having left the islands have also lost their livelihoods with no alternatives currently open to them where they have relocated to. Thus resiliency/livelihood support was stressed as important for these communities. The nomadic refugees who fled from Nigeria reported having left everything behind, including homes, cattle, agricultural land, etc, and came to the Lac region with very little. They too lack alternative livelihoods now that they are unable to rely on their cattle, and are looking for support for building new livelihoods, or restarting old livelihoods through the purchase of cattle. The infrastructure that host communities rely on (water points, schools, medical facilities) was already stretched prior to the displacement and movement of large numbers of people into their communities. While the host communities have largely been welcoming of those fleeing Boko Haram, the influx of people has stretch community infrastructure even further. While not specific to the displacement and violence, there are significant rates of HIV infection within the Lac region. In Liwa it was reported that in one group of youth that was screened, HIV prevalence was at 30%. While rates were not immediately available for other areas in the region, there was also general information provided that HIV rates are also relatively high in Baga Sola and surrounds. With the recent number of cases of polio identified in northern Nigeria, there are concerns that the ongoing movement of people across borders into the Lac region may result in an outbreak of polio in the region as well.
Specifically, children and youth have been affected by violence and displacement in the following ways:
Increased rates of malnutrition in a region already suffering from high rates of malnutrition (in some parts exceeding emergency levels).
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
Children have seen/witnessed attacks on their communities, including people being killed, and this has in some children caused trauma. One interviewee’s daughter suffered a miscarriage due to the violence and escape. In one of the camps it was reported that children (specifically boys) were having to walk long distances to collect firewood to support the family (income generation), exposing them to potential threats. Some children have been separated from their families during the displacement, and there have been a few cases of rape reported. Boko Haram has started using landmines, which has created a new risk of injury and death for children. While early/child marriage was a problem prior to the displacement and movement of people, there were observations that this was an increasing problem, possibly as a coping mechanism for families who have lost their source of livelihood. There were also reports that child recruitment continues to be an issue in the region. UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Social Affairs is planning on opening a transition centre in Bol for children who are released from child recruitment, and support is being provided to another centre in N’Djamena run by the government.
DIVIDERS AND CONNECTORS
Activities/ values Activities/ values that bring people that divide people... together... • Reports in Liwa of • Desire for peace different displaced communities fighting over access to water.
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
ANNEX A: INTERVIEW GUIDE Interview Guide: Community Leaders LCB Response, October 20161 CONSENT QUESTION
Co1. Do you agree to be interviewed by a World Vision staff member about this community? Your answers will be anonymous.
Agree_____ Disagree______
KEY NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS
N1. What are the 3 main problems that this community faces right now? N2. What are the impacts of these 3 problems? Problem Impact 1. 2. 3. COMMUNITY ASSETS * For community assets such as water points, schools, etc. Please take photos and if appropriate, GPS coordinates
Where do people access… (Probe: what condition are they in. Are the services offered sufficient?) C1. Water C2. Sanitation facilities C3. Schools/ education facilities C4. Health facilities POPULATION
P1. How many total households are currently in your village/ community/ camp? P2. What percentage are: 1. Households with only IDPs 2. Households with both host community members and IDPs 3. Households with only host community members P3. Do you expect any significant changes in the current population INCREASE DECREASE NO in the next 90 days? (circle one) CHANGE P4. Why or why not?
1 *these are basic questions to ask to community leaders (religious leaders, local authorities, teachers, medical personnel, heads of women’s groups or commerce associations etc.). This questionnaire should only be administered by WV technical leads who can probe and ask appropriate follow-up questions- not enumerators. It should take 30-60 minutes. *The interview guide can be modified to include more specific sectoral information depending on the interviewee. For example, a nurse may have additional information about morbidity or supply chain of drugs.
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Lake Chad Basin Response, October 2016
ANNEX B: LIST OF WV INTERVIEWERS 1. Kathryn Taetzsch, Response Director 2. Patrick Sooma, Operations Director/Humanitarian Protection 3. Rich Moseanko, Team Leader Logistics/NFIs/Base Set Up Baga Sola 4. Rachelle Coates, Programmes Director 5. Gomez Ismael, Regional Security Coordinator, 6. Frieda Mwebe, Child Protection Manager 7. Godfrey Mawaa, WASH Manager 8. Ando Tiana Raobelison, Health & Nutrition Manager ANNEX C: LIST OF KEY AGENCIES/INFORMANTS/COMMUNITIES INTERVIEWED 1. IOM (Bol) 2. UNHCR (Baga Sola) 3. WFP (Baga Sola) 4. Baga Sola Prefet 5. Baga Sola Deputy Governor 6. Liwa Prefet 7. Dar Narhim Refugee Camp 8. Chief of the Liwa Hospital 9. WHO (Baga Sola) 10. UNDSS (Baga Sola) 11. Oxfam (Baga Sola) 12. ACF (Baga Sola)
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