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The Commissioner in charge of international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica, announces additional support of EUR100million on his visit to N'Djamena.

Mr Mimica issued the following statement: "This new EUR100million package shows the European Union's determination to help Chad tackle the many challenges facing it. The aim is to pursue efforts to consolidate democracy and reforms in a spirit of openness and inclusiveness. The main priority here is to continue support for the provision of basic services for the communities that are the main victims of the crisis. Chad, an important partner of the European Union, is facing a difficult situation and we will stand at its side."

This aid will support key sectors such as nutrition, food security and resilience, sustainable agriculture, democratic governance and promotion of the rule of law.

During his visit Mr Mimica will also sign a financial commitment allocating EUR33 million from the European Development Fund for management of protected areas and fragile ecosystems. Another financial commitment concerns EUR10.3 million from the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa for a project for the social and occupational integration of young people that will be implemented by the French Development Agency (AFD).

Finally, Mr Mimica will today visit a number of EU-financed projects, including a nutrition centre to treat child malnutrition which the European Commission has supported since 2014. He will also visit the Gaoui camp set up to shelter 4900 Chadians who have fled the Central African Republic to return to their country.

Background:

European Development Fund

The initial 11th European Development Fund (EDF) allocation of EUR442million for Chad focuses on three sectors: (1) food security, nutrition and rural development (EUR 297 million), (2) sustainable management of natural resources (EUR 53 million) and (3) consolidation of the rule of law (EUR 65 million). This aid is supplemented by support for civil society (EUR 12 million) and for crosscutting issues (EUR 15 million).

The EUR 100 million in financial support announced today increases the amount allocated to Chad under the 11th EDF.

Trust Fund

In 2016 the Trust Fund approved five projects for Chad under the Valletta Action Plan. The aim is to tackle the root causes of migration and criminal networks and activities linked to terrorism by offering economic alternatives to systems currently dependent on illegal migration and improving border management.

The Trust Fund will help to build the capacity of local authorities and communities, in particular their capacity to provide security and ensure the social and occupational integration of young people and vulnerable persons, to recover land abandoned because of landmines, and to increase resilience, in particular in the Lake Chad Basin region.

In 2016 EUR88.3million was made available by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. This went to fund projects in the fields of resilience, security and the creation of economic opportunities for young people. A multi-country project costing EUR 30 million to be implemented around Lake Chad was also approved.

Situation in Chad

Chad is confronted with many challenges on both the humanitarian and development fronts. One of the poorest countries in the world, it has faced a two-pronged crisis since 2014: a budgetary crisis following the prolonged fall in oil prices and a security crisis caused by the manifold consequences of the repeated attacks by Boko Haram (Islamic State's West Africa Province (EIAO)), intensifying the country's fragility.

The European Union's strategic objectives are to support Chad in ensuring its development through the sustainable management of its natural resources and to contribute to the consolidation of peace and the implementation of reforms designed to enhance governance.

For further information:

DG DEVCO - Chad

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