Groupe URD is launching a new programme in Eastern Chad to support collective learning and improve the quality of the humanitarian response in the region

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On the strength of its past experience (heading the Mitch task force from 1998 to 2001, running its observatory in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2008, etc.) Groupe URD is setting up an observatory to support aid agencies in their response to the crisis in Chad (and possibly, at a later stage, in neighbouring countries – Sudan, Central African Republic). The objective of the observatory is to facilitate learning and help agencies to improve the quality of their practices via existing collective dynamics.
Collective learning will take place through:
• Iterative Evaluations with Mini Seminars (EIMS) ;
• Sharing of knowledge from particular areas of research.

The first phase, which is currently being launched, is planned for an 8-month period (March to October 2009). It will look specifically at the following sectors/themes in Eastern Chad:
- Water and sanitation;
- Food security and, in particular, the monitoring of economic urbanisation dynamics in and around camps;
- Protection ;
- Reducing the environmental footprint of aid.
Two cross-cutting themes for the programme are Quality Assurance and LRRD.

Contact : Contact Olivia Collins
Tél : +235 362 67 76

Documents related to the current project:
- The activities of the Chad Observatory - In French
- EIMS 1 Summary Report (May 2009)- In French

For more information:
- Activities of the Chad Observatory
- Summary report of current and future needs in terms of support to humanitarian action in Chad by DG ECHO (2008) - French

- Humanitarian space in Chad
Groupe URD has recently been asked to carry out research on humanitarian space in Chad by the IASC (Inter Agency Standing Committee).
This involved a number of activities:
A desk review focused on the following topics:
- Humanitarian space and access to the affected population (security) ;
- Humanitarian space and humanitarian principles;
- Humanitarian space and civil-military relations, for example, during integrated and peacekeeping missions;
- Humanitarian space and dialogue between organisations;
- Humanitarian space and local perceptions.
Interviews were then carried out in the field to gather data from different actors (international and national NGOs, UN agencies, MINURCAT) in order to analyse how humanitarian space has changed in Chad since 2005 and to identify and analyse the main issues currently in the field.
Certain topics were looked at in more depth than others, such as insecurity (why it has grown) and respect for humanitarian principles (problems related to civil-military interaction).
The research also looked at specific issues connected to the context, the complexity of the region and the large number of both relief and development agencies.

- Evaluation of Concern Worldwide's programmes in Chad, july 2009
Groupe URD has carried out an evaluation of Concern Worldwide's programmes in Chad. The NGO is present in IDP sites in Goz Beïda, where it is involved in a variety of programmes including camp coordination, food security and environmental issues.