Chad has been politically unstable for over 40 years. suffering from civil wars as well as ethnic and religious tensions. Human rights conditions remain notably poor. and the government lacks transparency and accountability. In the past 3 years. as fighting between the government and rebels increased. 180.000 Chadians have been displaced. adding to the inflow of 290.000 refugees from the Central African Republic and Sudans Darfur region. Although the government developed a plan for reform. and signed a peace agreement with rebel groups in 2007. the conflict has not ceased. In February 2008. rebel forces. supported by the neighboring Sudanese government. sought to remove President Idriss D6by from power. killing hundreds of civilians in the process. The 16 U.N. refugee camps suffer from water and firewood shortages. as well as periodic attacks on aid workers. New controls imposed by the ChadIan government on humanitarian organizations hinder the movement of assistance and personnel. In September 2007 the U.N. Security Council. followed by the Council of the European Union. approved the presence of a multinational security force to facilitate assistance and create favorable conditions for reconstruction and development. The United States has provided over $338 million in humanitarian assistance since 2004 and also provides security assistance to the Chadian Army through the International Military Education and Training funds. It is imperative that the U.S. work harder to develop and implement a sound strategy to protect and assist Chadians and other refugees and. together with the international community. condemn Sudanese President Omar alBashir and the National Congress for their support of the armed rebellion. Further destabilization in
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refugee refugees