Public Notice

Chad – Protection, Shelter & WASH– Public Comments Invited

[April 9, 2025] – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed Chad- Protection Shelter & WASH project located in Ouaddaï Province (Dougui camp) is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Global Affairs Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by May 9, 2025 to:

Environment Specialists 

Global Affairs Canada 

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7

Email:?CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

Description of Activities:

 

The water and sanitation infrastructure components of this project will address the urgent humanitarian needs of Sudanese refugees in Dougui camp in Ouaddaï Province, eastern Chad.

 

The specific activities subject to environmental assessment include: 1) Water Supply Systems: Installation of three water supply systems for human consumption to meet the additional needs of refugees in Dougui camp. These systems will increase access to clean water, providing the minimum standard of 15 liters per person per day as prescribed by Sphere Standards. Each system will include water extraction points, pumping mechanisms, pipelines, and storage facilities. The water infrastructure will be designed to be accessible to vulnerable groups. 2) Sanitation Facilities: Construction of 200 household latrines fitted with handwashing stations separated by gender with locks from the inside. These sanitation facilities will be strategically located to ensure safety and accessibility for women, children, and persons with disabilities. 3) Rehabilitation Activities: Rehabilitation and maintenance of water points, including minor repairs to existing water infrastructure to ensure sustainable water access for camp residents. 4) Community Management: Establishment and training of 10 community water management committees to oversee the operation and maintenance of the water systems, ensuring long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.

 

Description of Structure:

 

The water supply systems will consist of water extraction points (wells or boreholes) with appropriate depth to reach clean groundwater, pumping mechanisms potentially powered by solar energy where feasible, pipeline networks to distribute water throughout the camp, water storage tanks with adequate capacity to ensure consistent supply, and water access points (taps and standpipes) distributed throughout the camp.

 

The sanitation facilities will include 200 household latrines constructed with appropriate materials to ensure durability, handwashing stations attached to each latrine, gender-segregated facilities with privacy features and internal locks, and proper waste containment systems designed to prevent environmental contamination.

 

Description of the Environment:

 

Ouaddaï Province in eastern Chad is characterized by an arid to semi-arid landscape, with limited water resources. The region experiences extreme temperatures ranging from 25°C to 45°C, with a distinct rainy season between June and September, when flooding can occur. During the rest of the year, the area is predominantly dry with limited vegetation. The Dougui camp is a newly established refugee camp located in a remote area with limited pre-existing infrastructure. The soil in the area is predominantly sandy to sandy-loam, which poses challenges for water retention but is suitable for construction activities and supports limited agriculture adapted to arid conditions.

 

From an ecological perspective, the region supports biodiversity that has adapted to harsh conditions, including drought-resistant vegetation, various acacia species, and seasonal grasslands. Wildlife includes several species of reptiles, small mammals such as hares and rodents, and serves as a corridor for migratory birds. Though biodiversity is limited compared to more humid regions, the ecosystems present are fragile and vital to the local environmental balance. There are no designated protected areas or critical habitats in the immediate vicinity of the project location, though careful management of resources remains essential to prevent further degradation of the existing ecosystem.

 

Socially sensitive features in the area include traditional pastoralist routes used by nomadic and semi-nomadic communities for seasonal livestock movement, and communal water sources that hold significant cultural importance for local populations. These features require careful consideration to avoid potential conflicts between refugee and host communities. Local societal structures are predominantly organized around tribal and clan-based leadership systems, with traditional authorities playing important roles in resource allocation and conflict resolution.

 

The region faces significant environmental challenges including water scarcity, land degradation, and high vulnerability to climate change impacts. Climate change effects already observed include increasingly irregular rainfall patterns with more intense but less predictable precipitation events, heightened frequency and duration of drought conditions, reduced groundwater recharge rates, and accelerated desertification. Annual rainfall has become more variable, ranging from 250-500mm, and primarily concentrated during the brief rainy season. Groundwater levels have been declining, making water access increasingly challenging.

 

The area is also subject to natural hazards including seasonal flash floods during the rainy season (June-September), severe dust storms, particularly in the dry season, and occasional locust infestations that can devastate limited vegetation. Prolonged droughts represent the most significant persistent threat to both environmental stability and human security in the region. The sandy soils, while adequate for construction, are highly susceptible to erosion during heavy rainfall events, potentially affecting infrastructure sustainability without proper design considerations.

 

Geographic coordinates:

 

Name	Location	GPS Coordinates Format
Chad	Ouaddaï Province, Dougui Camp	13.4500° N, 21.4500° E