Refugees from Sudan started arriving in eastern Chad in 2003 due to the conflict in Darfur. The number of long-term refugees was estimated to be 310,834 people in 2016. The region is mostly desert with few natural resources, in particular land and water. On top of the difficult environment, insecurity has made it a challenge for NGOs and international organizations to provide support to the camps. The refugees in the camps have relied on WFP food assistance since they arrived. In January 2014, the food ration was reduced from the standard 2,100 kcal/day to 800 kcal.
As part of nutrition and health monitoring, UNHCR in collaboration with WFP organized a Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in the camps in order to assess the nutrition and health situation of the refugee populations, and orient and guide decision-making for the following year. The survey took place from 7 December 2016 to 22 January 2017 in the 12 camps hosting refugees from Sudan in the regions of Ouaddai, Wadi Fira, Ennedi East and Sila (situated on the border with Darfur, Sudan). The survey include two modules (children under 5 and women of child-bearing age) and used two-stage cluster sampling. See more details in the report.