The Government of Chad, supported by UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC and the Chadian Red Cross, is working towards the immediate reunification of 103 children with their families, following the failed attempt by the French NGO Zoe’s Ark to fly them out of Chad to France.

The reunification of children with their families is a top priority and it is expected that 97 children will be reunited with their families’ shortly. Six children, five of whom are from Sudan, still remain under the care of the Ministry of Social Affairs while tracing of their families continues.

During their stay at an orphanage in Chad pending reunification with their families, UNICEF is ensuring that the children’s health, nutrition, water and sanitation needs are being met. UNICEF delivered cartons of BP-5, bars of soap, water family kits, recreational kits, bed nets, medical supplies, blankets and mats. Two latrines and one shower were built. A measles vaccination campaign, combined with the systematical de-worming of all children was carried out by UNICEF and Save the Children-UK. Vaccination cards for each child have been established.

The children, aged one to 10 years of age, (21 girls and 82 boys) mostly belong to the Wadi Fira and Assoungha areas, in Eastern Chad, where they lived with their parents or relatives.

UNICEF is providing technical support for the Family Tracing and Reunification process and beginning next week a UNICEF team will travel to Abéché, Adré and Tine.