Faced with the seriousness of the floods threatening several cities, the Chadian government has set up a national emergency committee to prevent flooding and manage its consequences.
In Chad, heavy rains in late July and early August flooded the capital, N’Djamena, while other cities are threatened by flooding.
In N’Djamena, several neighbourhoods are under water. Most of them are in the 7th, 8th and 10th districts. The cries of the victims prompted President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to fly over the capital in a helicopter. This drew criticism from politicians and ordinary citizens alike.
The 9th arrondissement, which lies on the banks of the Chari river, is also under threat. In 2022, the government undertook to build a 30-kilometer dike to protect the residents of the district from the overflowing waters of the river.
With a total cost of 22 billion FCFA, the construction of this dam is causing quite a stir. The first rains in August caused large cracks in the dam, raising questions about the quality and durability of the materials used.
In deepest Chad, the provinces of Batha, Sila and Lac are threatened by flooding. Some towns, such as Ati and Addé, and several villages are already under water.
Even in Fada, in the Ennedi-Ouest region, where rainfall is rare, flooding has been reported, a historic event for the city.
In order to limit the consequences of the disaster, the government has set up a national committee for the prevention and management of floods. Chaired by the Minister of Finance, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, the committee’s mission is to draw up an emergency plan and ensure its implementation in the short, medium and long term.
Upstream, the Ministry of Social Action and Humanitarian Affairs, with the help of partners, has prepared sites for the relocation of flood victims in N’Djamena.
The United Arab Emirates were the first to provide external assistance. They have sent a major humanitarian donation of 60 tons to the Chadian government.
The donation, consisting of food and tents, is intended to help flood victims.
The threat of flooding is putting pressure on the government, which is already struggling to cope with the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of Sudanese refugees from the east.
CA/ac/Sf/lb/as/APA