Westport, Conn. (February 8, 2008) — Save the Children plans to continue to provide lifesaving assistance to children and families living in Chad, despite ongoing violence.

Access to displaced children and families is increasingly difficult while threats to children's well-being are on the rise. Efforts to provide relief are being hampered as supply routes have been cut off or interrupted.

The agency, which works in eastern Chad, has had to curtail some of its work due to the danger posed by the current conflict and the difficulty of reaching areas where it works. However, it will continue to implement programs to assist children and displaced families as conditions allow.

The fighting has forced tens of thousands of families to flee their homes, putting children at grave risk," said Caroline Loftus, who heads Save the Children's response to international emerencies. "Conditions in eastern Chad, where many families are moving, are extremely difficult. More than 500,000 people there —  local residents, refugees from Darfur and new Chadian families displaced by conflict — will need emergency assistance to survive." 

In eastern Chad, Save the Children focuses on health care and nutrition to reduce deaths among children under age 5 from preventable causes, particularly from infections and malnutrition. The agency also provides education and protection programs for children and their families displaced by the conflict in Darfur.

Save the Children's ability to respond quickly to emergencies like this and other future emergencies where significant numbers of children are at risk greatly depends on our available resources.  By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you enable us to prepare for and respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our help when disasters strike.