- A Norwegian field hospital for the mission in Chad is of great importance to the UN. Several other western countries have made the presence of a modern field hospital a condition for their participation in the mission. Today, Italy provides the ongoing EU mission with a field hospital, but this will end by May and there are few alternatives, says Minister of Defense Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.
The main purpose of the UN mission will be to provide security for refugees, internally displaced and destitute among the local population, as well as humanitarian aid workers. The UN Secretary General describes the humanitarian situation in the area as acute. The number of people in need of aid is close to 1.2 million, among others 290,000 refugees from Darfur, Sudan and 180,000 internally displaced in Chad. In addition to significant humanitarian support to Darfur, Norway has in 2008 contributed with 28 million NOK to remedy the humanitarian suffering in Chad.
Severe humanitarian crisis
The situation in eastern Chad and northeastern CAR is closely related to the development in Darfur, one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Refugees and insurgents cross the border between the two countries, and the difficult situation in Darfur has consequences for the stability of the neighbouring countries.
However, disorder, violent attacks and local gangsters remain the largest threat against civilians and aid workers. An important part of the Mission’s mandate is therefore to contribute to the strengthening of Chad’s police force, prison system and judicial system. Norway has contributed to this through economic support to the UN’s training for Chad’s police force.