In a landmark initiative to address pressing environmental challenges, the World Bank has sanctioned a $160 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to support Chad’s water security and climate resilience efforts. This funding targets specific provinces grappling with extreme vulnerability to climate shocks, displacement, and resource scarcity.

The Water Security and Resilience Support Project (PASER) represents a critical step toward long-term stability for communities facing climate-induced fragility. By investing in resilient infrastructure and essential services, the project aims to equip vulnerable regions with tools to withstand droughts, floods, and land degradation. Key focus areas include sustainable resource management, local capacity building, and livelihood improvements for populations at risk.

Farouk Mollah Banna, the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Chad, emphasized the project’s role in easing regional tensions exacerbated by water scarcity. “With over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees seeking shelter in eastern Chad, this initiative will restore access to water and foster hope for the future,” he noted. “It tackles core fragility drivers such as uneven development, economic disparities, and resource-driven conflicts.” Notably, $80 million of the funding is allocated through the Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR).

Aligning with national priorities

The PASER initiative aligns seamlessly with Chad’s Chad Connexion 2030 – Programme 15, a strategic roadmap designed to shift the country’s approach from humanitarian aid to integrated development and resilience-building in displacement-affected areas. This shift underscores the government’s commitment to fostering stability and self-reliance.

A transformative impact on communities

Hawa Cissé Wagué, the World Bank’s Interim Country Director for Chad, highlighted the project’s broader significance. “In collaboration with development partners, this operation demonstrates how targeted investments can drive peace and resilience in some of the world’s most fragile contexts,” she stated. “It propels Chad toward greater inclusivity, stability, and resilience.”

Nearly one million people will directly benefit from the project, with over 50% hailing from both host communities and refugee populations. Women, who make up 50.6% of beneficiaries, stand to gain significantly as the initiative spans refugee-hosting provinces, N’Djamena, and other high-risk localities.