Promoting peaceful coexistence in Chad

Project description

Title: Improving livelihoods in western Chad
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Chad
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Economy, Development Planning and International Cooperation
Overall term: 2019 bis 2023

Context

The Republic of Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nevertheless, this state in north-central Africa has accepted more than 600,000 refugees from neighbouring states in the last few years. The entire region is severely affected by the impact of climate change, water shortages, population growth, soil erosion and desertification. The regions of Kanem, Bahr El Gazel and Hadjer-Lamis are among the most economically vulnerable in Chad. The majority of the population is poor and has insufficient access to health services. The state budget is overwhelmed and unable to tackle the situation. Population groups compete for vital resources, such as water and land, as well as for opportunities for training and income generation. Everyone faces a similar struggle for daily survival. This situation is fuelling conflict between population groups and threatening the stability of the region. As a result, there is also a growing risk of new causes of displacement.

Objective

Opportunities for income have improved and peaceful coexistence has been strengthened. Stability is increasing in western Chad.

Approach

The project is part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) special initiative ‘Tackling the root causes of displacement, stabilising host regions, supporting refugees’. The supported measures benefit refugees and host communities alike. In the long term, they mitigate the structural causes of displacement, such as social inequality and a lack of prospects.

The project supports 11 municipalities in western Chad. It creates employment opportunities for young men and women and promotes development in the region. This creates prospects and increases stability, helping to reduce new causes of displacement and prevent competition arising between groups.

In practical training sessions, participants learn about sustainable, yield-enhancing and climate-adapted agriculture and cultivation techniques. Priority is given to households headed by women: they are able to earn a higher income after cultivating and selling their products, making the local economy more dynamic and enabling it to grow. The project also organises training courses on digitalisation, the internet and computing.

In open planning sessions, the project brings together the people of the 11 municipalities and encourages them to cooperate in setting development goals for the region. It also organises dialogue forums with mediators and sporting, cultural and leisure events. Here, the various population groups can get to know each other and share ideas. This helps reduce conflict among the population and strengthens social cohesion.

To improve the economic situation of women and increase incomes for young people, the project is working with the non-governmental organisation Action Against Hunger and the AMBERO-CA17 consortium.
 

Results

Since the project began, around 1,600 young men and women have received support in improving their living conditions.

Approximately 1,400 women have improved their economic situation, predominantly by increasing their agricultural production and boosting yields. All new cultivation methods are climate-adapted.

With the objective of establishing peaceful coexistence, the project has supported and organised around 80 sporting, cultural and leisure events in the 11 host communities. These events give the different population groups the opportunity to get to know each other.

The members of 20 mediation and conflict committees have been trained to resolve conflicts peacefully. As a result, they are able to reduce tension in their communities and ensure peace more effectively.

As at: March 2021