Lawlessness, rampaging armed groups, the kidnapping and murder of relief workers threaten the lifeline to nearly 100,000 people in eastern Chad.
In eastern Chad there are 256,700 Sudanese refugees from strife-torn Darfur, 168,000 Chadian displaced people and around 150,000 homeless civilians residing in host villages. But several key humanitarian agencies have suspended or reduced their activities due to the insecurity.
'The kidnapping of relief workers is a new element in bandits operations in eastern Chad, Darfur and northern Central African Republic, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest update, citing the recent kidnapping of an International Red Cross staff member, attacks on two non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the abduction of two French nationals.
'To date at least 96,500 people in need are at risk of deteriorating living conditions due to the continued suspensions or reduction of operations by several humanitarian organizations '.