Population figures
Total country population
18,847,148
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
1,239,907
Asylum-seekers:
11,396
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
219,393
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
296,301
Country context
Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, hosts a large population of refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Refugees primarily come from Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and Cameroon, with the majority residing in the eastern and southern regions of the country.
The legal framework in Chad includes provisions for refugees and asylum-seekers but has limitations, particularly with regard to their integration and legal status. Refugees often face challenges in obtaining legal documentation, such as birth certificates and national identity cards, which restrict their ability to access services and secure their rights. This situation is further complicated for certain populations at risk of statelessness, including Chadian returnees from the Chad Lake Region and the Central African Republic, who lack the necessary identity documents. A significant legal issue for many refugees is the lack of land rights, as refugees are often required to rent land from local Chadian owners.
...The government of Chad, alongside other stakeholders, has expressed a willingness to address the issue of statelessness by facilitating the issuance of necessary documents, such as birth certificates and identity cards. Statelessness is a particular concern for women and children, as legal frameworks do not provide equal rights for women in conferring nationality to their children, potentially perpetuating statelessness across generations.
Chad has maintained an open-door policy for refugees and efforts to integrate refugees into the national systems of education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities are ongoing but face significant challenges due to limited funding and capacity.
Legal issues regarding Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) remain a significant concern, particularly as refugees and IDPs often face disputes over property ownership, forced evictions, and destruction or loss of property.
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