IOM and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), yesterday, Monday 7/1/13 signed a two-year community stabilization project which aims at supporting the livelihoods of Chadian returnees from Libya in three northern regions i.e. Bourkou Ennedi and Tibesti which are particularly vulnerable as there are no humanitarian agencies apart from IOM.

The US$ 2.9 m Swiss contribution will be used to support the IOM Chad reintegration efforts for the Chadian returnees from Libya through a community stabilization project which aims at increasing social cohesion and dialogue between the returnees and hosting communities in areas of high return. The project strategy is to facilitate the establishment of socio-economic infrastructure, a reintegration dividend, to be implemented on the basis of the design and needs identified by the community themselves.
 
Following the massive return of Chadian migrants from Libya, IOM conducted impact assessment in 14 regions of high return in Chad in March 2012. The study revealed that most returnees remain in urgent need of socio-economic reintegration support. Loss of remittances and differences in lifestyle between the returnees and communities of origin has caused increasing social tensions.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ms Ruth Tedebe, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, Mr. Didier Douziech, the Country Director of the SDC, IOM Chief of Mission to Chad, Dr. Qasim Sufi, Ambassadors of the United States and Germany, the UN Resident Coordinator, high government authorities and journalists from different radio and television channels and newspapers in Chad.

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