Chad

The focus of Switzerland's 2023–26 cooperation programme with Chad is on strengthening responsible and representative institutions, and promoting high-quality basic services in health and education. Other work involves promoting the development of sustainable markets and improving food security, and strengthening the resilience of the population to climate change. 

Chad is a priority country for Switzerland's bilateral development cooperation. The country has had one of the lowest Human Development Index scores for many years. State institutions including administration, education and health are poorly developed. Regional and global challenges, such as armed extremist groups, refugee flows, especially from Sudan (Darfur conflict since 2003, fighting in 2023), and the growing impact of climate change, further hinder the country's development. The death of long-standing ruler Idriss Déby Itno in 2021 ushered in a period of change that has yet to bear fruit.

One focus of the 2023–26 cooperation programme is on supporting the political transition.. Furthermore, Switzerland will continue to support Chad in developing climate-resilient economic systems and practices. Another key aspect is the expansion of high-quality basic services such as education, health and access to water. 

State institutions and civil society

Switzerland's cooperation programme supports the implementation of the reforms to be achieved through the political transition.

By involving key actors (women, youth, media, defence and security forces), Switzerland contributes to preventing violence, reducing tensions and conflicts and strengthening the capacities of the state.

The programme supports the establishment of institutions that are to play their role in the new system of government after the transition and implement the processes and reforms that have been initiated. Switzerland contributes to strengthening the capacities of elected representatives, public services and citizens at the local level, with the aim of giving the people's representatives more opportunities to respond to the needs of the population. In turn, citizens gain better access to reliable information and participate in public debate and decision-making processes, and women actively participate in conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms.

Good governance

Qualitative services

Through policy dialogue, institution building and learning from local experiences, Switzerland contributes to strengthening the capacity of systems strained by demographic challenges to organise and deliver basic social governmental and non-governmental services.

In the education sector, the aim is to raise the quality of basic education for girls and boys. This entails implementing the reform agenda, seeking better coordination between sector actors, training teachers, promoting innovation in teaching methods, and facilitating access to basic education for vulnerable groups through adapted arrangements for teaching and learning.

Through its support, Switzerland promotes the accountability of public health services at all levels and helps to improve knowledge about water resources, in order to foster better planning and use.

Health – a prerequisite for development

Basic education and vocational skills development

Water

Developing sustainable markets and improving food security

Switzerland supports the agricultural and livestock sectors and the development of appropriate inclusive market systems. This will improve the population's adaptive capacity with regard to climate change, provide access to extension and advisory services, increase production and create economic opportunities and decent jobs, especially for women and young people.

The programme helps to open up opportunities for vulnerable population groups to generate additional income and improve their living conditions. It offers measures for better management and use of water and soil, increased soil fertility and better access to productive resources. In addition, it encourages the development of employment opportunities by improving vocational training and adapting it to the needs of the market and the expectations of young people.

In the event of a food crisis, the programme will contribute to food and nutritional assistance for vulnerable households.

Agriculture and food security

Cross-cutting themes

Equality and governance 

Switzerland works to achieve gender equality, paying particular attention to boosting women's participation in the public sphere and political leadership. From an economic perspective, there is a focus on the promotion of female entrepreneurs and improving the integration of women within selected value chains. Special attention continues to be paid to girls' education and retention in the school system.

In an uncertain political environment and in the face of weakening social cohesion, Switzerland's support for increased accountability of public authorities and inclusive participation of civil society in public policy remains key. This support is provided at local and national level, but also at regional level in the regions where Swiss development cooperation programmes are implemented.

Gender equality

Climate change and the environment

Approach and partners

Switzerland's activities in Chad are carried out through the instruments of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding. Switzerland's 2023–26 cooperation programme provides the basis for more in-depth support for the transition process under way in Chad. Going forward, cooperation with UN organisations in particular will be strengthened and the partner base broadened. Furthermore, cooperation with the still largely undeveloped private sector is of great importance to achieve sustainable development results.