Due to the recent escalating violence between Boko Haram and the Nigerian military in the regions bordering Chad, and at the request of the Government of Chad and in coordination with the National Commission for Refugees and Returnees (CNARR), IOM deployed operations and medical teams in N’Gouboua and provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Chadian migrants fleeing the violence in Nigeria. The assistance consists of migrants’ registration and profiling, provision of food and non-food items (NFIs), medical screening and care, family tracing and reunification, and transportation to their communities of origin.

So far 1,152 returnees arrived at N’Gouboua including 268 non-accompanied minors; however, many more in small groups are still on their way to the Chadian side of the border. All returning migrants are in urgent need of food, non-food items and medical services including psychosocial care. They are predominantly from Maiduguri, Baga Kawa, Bokawa and Boudmari in Nigeria.

Since N’Gouboua is only 30 kilometers from the Nigerian border and is surrounded by streams from Lake Chad – conditions that threaten security and prevent accessibility – IOM is facilitating the voluntary return of the migrants.

Once registration has been completed, those who wish to rejoin their families are assisted by IOM following a pre-departure medical check and care, including referrals. Each family is provided with dry food and a hygiene kit.

So far IOM has assisted 71 families (211 persons) with onward transportation to more than 40 different destinations.

IOM shared registration data on the 268 Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs), “Mahajirin” and their head masters, “Marabout”, with local authorities and social services for family reunification purposes with assistance from UNICEF.

Contact:

Dr. Qasim Sufi
Chief of Mission, IOM Chad
Office: +235 22 52 53 59/60 (Ext. 111)
Mobile: +235 62 90 06 74
Fax: +235 22 52 53 61
Email: qsufi@iom.int