Disaster Overview
Chad, a landlocked and impoverished nation in north-central Africa, faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Years of famine, disease (including HIV/AIDS), armed conflict, and political instability have devastated the country. With over 500,000 orphaned children, and virtually no government or nonprofit support for orphans and widows, the situation continues to deteriorate.
Healthcare is nearly nonexistent, clean water comes from contaminated wells, education is inaccessible, and only 8% of the population has electricity. Chad ranks among the worst globally for child and maternal mortality, and life expectancy barely reaches 50 years.
In February 2019, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the renewal of diplomatic relations between Israel and Chad, after ties had been severed in 1974 under pressure from Arab states led by Libya. After two rounds of elections within a very short period of time that failed to yield decisive results and did not permit the establishment of a new Israeli government that will define and strengthen the new diplomatic relations at the state level as well as in the hearts of the people of Chad, IFA decided to take action and deploy a meaningful open civilian Israeli aid mission, a first of its kind after many years in which our organization has been working away from the public eye and the media.
Chad, a landlocked country, is one of the world’s most challenging environments for humanitarian work. Foreign aid organizations operate under constant threat, with many confined to fortified bases under heavy security. As a result, medical and humanitarian aid is minimal and disproportionately focused on refugee populations, leaving the broader Chadian population neglected. Chad remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for foreign aid organizations.
Lacking access to seaports and surrounded by unstable neighbors, many of which harbor active terror groups, Chad is further isolated from the global aid system. The country hosts over 1.5 million refugees, including Sudanese fleeing the Darfur conflict in the northeast, and victims of Boko Haram’s terror from the south, near Lake Chad. In addition, tens of thousands of displaced Chadians have returned home after escaping violence in neighboring countries, often with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
Despite the risks, IFA is committed to standing with the people of Chad, bringing life-saving aid where it’s most desperately needed, regardless of politics, borders, or danger.
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Impact
Since the launch of IFA’s first open civilian mission to Chad in 2019, we have carried out a multi-phase humanitarian mission impacting critical sectors including health, food security and education.
Medical Aid & Equipment
IFA delivered two 40-foot containers filled with essential medical equipment, including:
- 14 dialysis machines
- Anesthesia and ventilation machines
- Wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, nurses’ carts
- Disposable birth kits
- Medical consumables
- Blood Bank Support
Blood donation kits and storage bags were provided, leading to the launch of a national blood donation campaign, initiated by Chad’s Former First Lady, Mrs. Hinda Déby Itno.
Emergency Aid
Flood Response – In September 2020, a Chadian military cargo plane landed in Israel and was loaded by IFA with over 14 tons of emergency supplies, including:
- 2,000 tents for flood-displaced families
- COVID-19 protective gear for medical teams
- Mosquito-control equipment to fight malaria outbreaks
Food Security
- Two 40-foot containers carrying 40 tons of high-protein dried food were distributed in N’Djamena suburbs and the Baga Sola refugee camp in the Lake Chad area.
- Over 100,000 protein-rich meals were procured for children in two orphanages.
Medical Training
IFA deployed a medical team composed of Israel’s top physicians and specialists on numerous missions to provide hands-on training to Chadian healthcare personnel:
Gynecology
- Training on obstetric and non-obstetric tear/fistula repair
- Surgical care for pre-identified fistula patients
Pediatrics
- Training in Neonatal Resuscitation Protocols (NRP)
- Post-operative protocols for NICU staff
- Support for pediatric ICU and emergency cases
- Pediatric care at the orphanage
Pediatric Cardiology
- Consultations for complex cases
- Selection of candidates for possible treatment in Israel
- Intensive local cardiology training
Anesthesia & ICU Care
- Multidisciplinary acute care for over 20 patients across OR, ICU, NICU, PICU, and ED settings
- Training and implementation of noninvasive ventilation (BiPAP, CPAP) techniques
Support for Orphans and Education
IFA has established a long-term partnership with the Fondation Dieu Bénit Orphanage, which cares for over 120 children aged 6 months to 18 years. Key achievements include:
- Ten months of food and medical supplies delivered
- Daily hot meals with balanced nutrition
- Construction of a fully equipped “smart classroom” with computers, projector, and video conferencing system
- Computer lab and e-learning setup
- Renovation of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and shaded yard
- Electricity upgrade and Wi-Fi installation
School Outreach
The orphanage’s adjacent school, serving over 300 children, was refurbished and refurnished to improve access to quality education in a safe, nurturing environment.