Touma茂, 鈥渉ope of life鈥� in听Gorane,听 is the name given to the oldest human ancestor discovered in Northern Chad two decades ago. But where humanity is believed to have begun, it is slowly being threatened by the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Landlocked, Chad faces substantial obstacles, including growing security challenges, compounded by a low-income economy, with a large informal sector. There are limited livelihood options and a looming听threat of climate change, land degradation and water scarcity in some areas.听听听
For the population, especially in rural areas, remittances from diaspora Chadians听鈥撎齝onservatively听听in 2019 as 336,802 people听鈥撎齛re a lifeline. They help cushion听 a fragile economy.听听听
To better understand remittance flows to Chad, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched an online survey with global Chadian diaspora to identify key remittances channels and shed light on how remittances are used by Chadians at home.听听听
鈥淭he most recent World Bank data on remittances in Chad dates back to 1994, which shows the need for more updated figures and statistics on money transfers,鈥� explained Anne Schaefer, Chief of Mission of IOM in Chad. 鈥淔or Chad, great opportunities lie in utilizing migration as a tool for development.鈥澨�
This survey is the first of its kind in Chad and seeks to understand 鈥渞emittance behaviour鈥� among the Chadian diaspora in low, middle and high-income countries, and to a larger extent, the role of diaspora in local and national development.听听
鈥淭he survey results will provide an updated snapshot of the scale of remittances in Chad, as well as the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on money transfers into the country,鈥� she added.听听
In the survey, respondents are invited to answer questions on the frequency of money transfers, their most used remittance channels (mobile money, banks, friends or money transfer services) as well as the intended use of the money remitted, among other questions.听听
The final report will yield insights that decision makers can use to harness the benefits of migration as a tool for sustainable development in Chad. The proposed intervention will enhance the Government of Chad鈥檚 ability to utilize remittances to promote sustainable solutions that will improve the livelihood of its citizens.听听
In 2019, several diaspora members came together and formed the听Groupe听d鈥檈ntraide听a听l鈥橢nseignement听Sup茅rieur et a la Sant茅 au听Tchad听鈥撎鼼ESST听(Self-help Group for Higher Education and Health in Chad). The association, made up of nearly 200 Chadian medical doctors, researchers and engineers, developed a project to map Chadian healthcare, education experts willing use their knowledge and skills for the country鈥檚 development, in cooperation with IOM. Read more听.听听
Remittances are financial or in-kind transfers made by migrants to friends and relatives back in communities of origin. In 2019,听听were remitted in Sub-Saharan Africa, exceeding the amount of development aid the region receives and making them a powerful tool for social and economic development.听听听
Across the region, they help families make ends meet and contribute to local development, sometimes being channelled towards the construction of key infrastructures in local communities.听
