The US Ambassador in Chad, H.E. Dr. James Knight accompanied by the US Refugee Coordinator for Chad and Cameroon, Ms. MaryEileen Earl visited the IOM Office and Klemat Transit Centre in N’Djamena on 10 February 2014.

The main objective of the Ambassador’s visit was to have information on the IOM emergency response to the massive influx of Returnees, CAR claiming nationals and other Third Country Nationals (TCN) fleeing the violence in CAR and entering Chad either with the assistance of the Government of Chad or IOM since the exacerbation of the crisis in December 2013 and to witness the living conditions of the Returnees in one of the Transit Site.

The Ambassador was briefed by the IOM Chief of Mission in Chad, Dr. Qasim Sufi and the IOM Emergency Specialist for West and Central Africa, Mr. Giovanni Cassani through a Power Point presentation in the IOM office in the presence of High Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Social Action and the UNHCR Representative in Chad Ms. Aminata Gueye.

After the briefing in the IOM office, the Ambassador visited the Klemat Transit Centre which is one of the nine Transit Centres in N’Djamena where evacuees from CAR are temporarily accommodated prior to their continuation of their journey either to their places of origin or to the Temporary Sites in the country.

The Ambassador met and discussed with different groups of evacuees in the centre including women, elderly, young and injured persons. He was welcomed by the Advisor of Prime Minister in addition to the High Officials from the Ministry of Social Affair in the Transit Centre.

The US is first donor that has financially supported the IOM emergency response to the massive influx from CAR in Chad through BPRM.

The Ambassador’s visit to the Transit Centre was highly covered by the National Mass Media TV, Radio and News Papers.  

Contact:

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