Thousands of migrants have been stopped in Chad as all borders were closed due to the coronavirus. 6 000 travellers including students from neighbouring countries are under Chad custody till the lockdown period is over.
The recent declaration of a war zone in the Lake Chad region created a severe socio-economic impact on the population on the population of the country. Over 20 000 people living on the Lake Chad Islands were displaced to the mainland following the war zone declaration at the governments request.
Borders and entry points in Chad have been closed so the virus cannot be spread in and out of the country. This resulted in more than 6 000 migrants including students returning from neighbouring countries blocked in the country and are currently hosted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Eight COVID-19 cases have been confirmed and no deaths recorded in Chad. In response to the needs of stranded migrants wishing to return back home, IOM is providing sustainable shelter and food to at least 20 000 displaced people in the region.
“We are extremely concerned by the complex situation unfolding in the Lake Chad region. An outbreak in IDP sites would be catastrophic.” said Anne Kathrin Schaefer, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Chief of Mission in Chad.
