This case study of providing food assistance to Chadian refugees in Western Sudan illustrates some of the problems that are common to many refugee situations throughout Africa. The first part of the paper describes the initial emergency in 1985 and 1986 when refugee camps were established. The second part describes how refugee food requirements are determined by the annual Food Assessment Mission (a joint undertaking by the World Food Programme, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the host government). The inherent weaknesses in a system that has no clear procedures for such an important function are examined. Finally, the failure of the system to meet its agreed commitments for food assistance for refugees is examined. Despite this failure, refugees were able to develop livelihoods which enabled them to make up the shortfall in the rations provided. © 1992 Oxford University Press.

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Chadian refugees food needs assessment food aid refugee relief Sudan