Challenges and Issues of Access to Water and Sanitation in Refugee Camps in Eastern Chad

Analysis of August and September data on water supply and sanitation in refugee camps in Eastern Chad reveals significant disparities between provinces and individual sites. Average water access ranges from 4 L/p/d to 18 L/p/d, compared to the Sphere standard of 15 L/p/d. Only a few camps meet or approach this minimum, while the majority remain below the threshold, exposing populations to elevated health risks.
Sanitation coverage also varies widely. Camps in Ouaddaï generally show acceptable conditions, whereas Wadi-Fira exhibits critical deficits, with up to 63–71 persons per latrine. Sila demonstrates relative stability, but some sites still experience moderate shortages.
Monitoring of water quality via residual chlorine indicates notable improvement across provinces between August and September, particularly following the cholera outbreak in Dougui. Increases in free residual chlorine at both reservoir and household levels reflect enhanced microbiological protection, although some camps remain below WHO thresholds due to temporary chlorine shortages or operational constraints.

Water supply ; Refugee camps; sanitation Microbiological quality; chlorination

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