Swedish-Luxembourgish team deployed to Chad for Farchana Inter-Agency Hub construction
In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in Sudan, the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) successfully implemented a base camp in Farchana, Chad, to support humanitarian workers. Building on the findings of an August 2023 reconnaissance mission, the project addressed urgent needs for durable infrastructure in a remote and challenging environment.
From Planning to Execution: A Collaborative Effort
Initially, in July 2023, UN OCHA requested IHP’s support to establish a base camp to accommodate humanitarian staff assisting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Sudan’s Darfur region. However, the reconnaissance mission revealed that the originally planned tents would not withstand the region’s harsh weather conditions. The mission recommended the use of prefabricated modules for improved durability and comfort.
In October 2023, IOM, through OCHA, submitted a revised request reflecting these recommendations. The updated plan called for a smaller camp with prefabricated structures, reducing capacity but ensuring robust and reliable facilities. The IHP, led by Luxembourg, took charge of the mission’s implementation, overseeing the transportation of eight prefabricated modules to Farchana in January 2024. These modules included sleeping accommodations for 19 personnel and office spaces essential for coordinating humanitarian efforts.
Joint Effort in Establishing the Camp
The installation of the prefabricated structures was carried out between January and February 2024 as a collaborative endeavor between Luxembourg’s Civil Protection Corps (CGDIS) and Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). The two IHP partners worked tirelessly to ensure the rapid deployment and assembly of the modules, transforming the site into a fully functional base camp.
The facilities now provide essential living and working spaces for humanitarian staff from agencies such as OCHA, IOM, WHO, UNHCR, WFP, and UNICEF, among others. These improved conditions enable humanitarian teams to continue delivering life-saving services to the nearly 930,000 people who have sought refuge in Chad since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan.
A Model for Effective Humanitarian Collaboration
The IHP’s intervention in Farchana highlights the network’s capacity to respond to complex emergencies with tailored solutions. The collaboration between Luxembourg, Sweden, and other IHP partners exemplifies the strength of international partnerships in overcoming logistical and operational challenges in remote and resource-constrained environments.
This base camp is more than just a logistical hub; it represents a commitment to the humanitarian community and the populations they serve. By providing a safe and operational environment, the camp ensures that critical assistance continues to reach those most in need amidst one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in the region.
As the Sudan crisis persists, the IHP’s role in Farchana underscores the importance of innovative, coordinated responses in sustaining humanitarian efforts under extraordinary circumstances.
