Chad

Chad country profile

BACKGROUND

The Republic of Chad is a large, landlocked Central African country. The country's north has a dry desert climate and receives little annual rainfall. The southern region has more precipitation with a wet season from May to October. Three primary climatic zones follow this rain gradient from north to south, with the northern part of Chad in the arid Saharan Desert, transitioning into the subtropical, semi-arid Sahel region in central Chad, and converting to tropical savanna in the south.

Chad is heavily affected by global climate breakdown. Regional conflicts, environmental degradation, rapid desertification, and intercommunal tension over diminishing natural resources, have contributed to exacerbating vulnerability to climate hazards. The country also struggles with poverty and stagnated economic growth, with almost 42 percent of people living under the poverty line (WFP). Nearly 80 percent of the population relies on agriculture to form their livelihoods.

The most prevalent climate-related hazards include epidemics, floods, drought, landslides, and storms. There are also instances of conflict that result in forced displacement. Chad has around 570,000 refugees, 406,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as 107,000 Chadian returnees (WFP).

INFORM RISK INDEX (2022)    

Hazard and exposure: 7.3  |  Vulnerability: 7.6  |  Lack of coping capacity: 8.9 |  Total: 7.9 (very high)  |  Rank: 5

HAZARDS COVERED BY ANTICIPATION    

Riverine floods | Drought | Insect infestation (Desert locust)

EXPERIENCE ON ANTICIPATION 

• OCHA is facilitating the development of a pilot framework for anticipatory action in Chad ahead of droughts.
• Chad Red Cross is developing EAPs for flooding and drought with the support of the French Red Cross.