CARE International’s history in Chad
CARE began working in Chad in 1974 to help communities facing urgent humanitarian needs and widespread poverty.
Since then, CARE and our partners have supported communities through many crises, including hunger, public health emergencies, and displacement. We address immediate needs while helping improve long-term opportunities.
In recent years, insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin — a vital water source shared by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria — and the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Sudan have increased humanitarian needs, particularly in eastern Chad. CARE Chad has adapted its work to support millions of people facing the impacts of these overlapping crises.
CARE and partners’ work in Chad today
CARE Chad and our partners help people facing urgent humanitarian needs while also supporting livelihoods, health services, and opportunities for women and girls.
Our work focuses on:
Crisis response
CARE provides humanitarian aid to refugees, displaced families, and host communities. This includes cash assistance and food vouchers, improving access to clean water through boreholes and latrines, and supporting communities affected by food insecurity and cholera outbreaks.
Health
We work to increase access to reproductive health services and promote hygiene practices that help reduce preventable illnesses.
Gender equality
CARE supports programs that protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, and works with communities to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
Making the economy work for women
We help strengthen livelihoods and financial inclusion through income-generating activities and savings groups such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The VSLA approach is a flagship program in Chad, and CARE works with the Ministry of Women and Child Protection to expand it across the country.
Focus on women and girls
Women and girls are at the centre of CARE Chad’s work.
By prioritizing financial inclusion, protection, and access to essential services, CARE and our partners support women and girls facing some of the main challenges in Chad, including displacement, food insecurity, and public health crises.
We support women and girls to:
- Strengthen economic independence through savings groups and income-generating activities
- Access reproductive health services
- Reduce risks of gender-based violence
- Participate in community decision-making and leadership
CARE works closely with local organizations and government institutions to ensure programs respond to community needs. Key partners include organizations such as NIRVANA (New Initiative, Reality of Values for a New Africa), Humanitarian Initiative for Local Development (IHDL), Center for International Health Support (CSSI), Office for Health and Environmental Support (BASE), Office for Environmental Support and Protection (BAPE), Association of Witnesses to Emergencies and Development Actions (ATURAD), and Association for Charity and Multisectoral Support (ABAMUS).
For recent updates on CARE Chad’s work, see here.
