Photo Credit: Refugees International
11/10/2006

Insecurity and abuse in the northwest of the Central African Republic prompted approximately 50,000 Central Africans to flee into southern Chad, including this man. Most of the refugees stated that they had been targeted by at least two of the three armed forces --- rebels, government forces, and bandits --- that take advantage of the lawlessness and extort money from the civilian population. When people cannot pay the requisite sum, they may lose their life or the life of a loved one. In Chad, refugees are not asking for much --- they want to meet their basic needs such as food and education for their children. Though there are few humanitarian organizations in southern Chad, and funding is often in short supply, aid agencies provide refugees with shelter, food, cooking supplies, and now some agricultural assistance so that they can grow food for themselves.