The issue

Only 52% of households have access to potable water, and only 1 out of 6 people use improved sanitation. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, schistosomiasis and malaria are proliferating due to stagnant water, swamps, open air defecation and poor hygiene behaviour. This situation exposes many children to deadly preventable diseases.

In 2011, Chad had one of the worst cholera outbreak in its history: 17, 258 cases with 458 deaths and Case Fatality (CFR) of 2.4% (above WHO recommended 1%). The case of the region of Guera, located in the Sahel belt of Chad, illustrates the dramatic situation. An alarming cholera outbreak of 1754 cases was recorded in the region with 1181 in Mongo  alone. The plight of the children who already live in harsh conditions – severe drought and 40 to 50 degree Celsius – is exacerbated by poor hygiene and sanitation. Open air defecation practiced by 87% in the rural areas. Furthermore, drilling for potable water in Guera has a lot of challenges due to the basement rock formation in most part of the region. Commercial drilling for one borehole ranges from USD 26,000 to USD 30,000, not affordable for the majority of the poor and vulnerable population. 

(source : Unicef Tchad)