We’ve joined forces with UNHCR to deliver comprehensive flood relief in Chad

Building on its fruitful partnership with UNHCR, the MSC Foundation has committed to support the communities affected by the devastating floods in Chad

Focus Area: Emergency Relief

In late July 2024, heavy rains caused the Wadi Bahr Azoum river to burst its banks, unleashing severe floods that have inflicted extensive damage across all of Chad’s 23 provinces. Towns such as Koukou have faced catastrophic destruction, with widespread loss of homes and livestock.

Overall, more than 10,000 homes have been obliterated, displacing at least 400,000 people who now face critical shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies.

The floods have also severely impacted agriculture. With 80% of Chad’s rural population reliant on farming for their livelihoods, the destruction of crops has led to a surge in food insecurity. Over two million people have already been affected, and that figure is expected to continue rising as the crisis unfolds.

Intensifying the crisis, Chad was already in a fragile situation, having experienced an eightfold increase in severe flooding since 2010, driven primarily by climate change. In addition, the disaster arrived amid the critical challenges of hosting over one million refugees forcibly displaced from conflicts in neighbouring countries.

The MSC Foundation has committed to support the impacted communities with UNHCR, the United Nations agency for refugees. Together, we will deliver 50 containers by land and sea, all filled with life-saving supplies to assist the humanitarian response.

The MSC Foundation's close partnership with UNHCR has already seen us join forces in other vital emergency relief operations, including the provision of humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria earthquake survivors, and support for Ukrainian refugees. Our work in Chad is building on the experience gained in these efforts.

Together, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by this terrible disaster.

Credits:

Cover: : © UNHCR/Eugene Sibomana

Body: © UNHCR/Jutta Seidel