Chad's Lac Province IDP crisis prompts government and UN aid response

On 23 July 2026 Chad’s Minister of Social Action, Zara Mahamat Issa, and UN humanitarian coordinator François Batalingaya held a press conference on the surge of roughly 60,000 new internally displaced persons in the Lac province. The rapid assessment covered 16 sites in the Fouli and Kaya departments, revealing families that have lost most possessions, women struggling to feed children, and vulnerable elderly.

The government has already distributed 7,200 rice bags, 2,200 oil drums and other staples, and the UN announced an additional US$2 million from the regional humanitarian fund to bolster food, health and shelter assistance. Officials highlighted the need for coordinated, well‑funded action to avoid heavier costs of inaction.