World bank funds $160 million for Chad water and climate resilience
World Bank invests $160 million to boost water access and climate resilience in Chad
The World Bank has allocated $160 million to enhance water access and strengthen climate resilience in Chad’s most vulnerable regions, directly benefiting one million people—over half of whom are women.
The World Bank has taken a decisive step to support Chad’s fight against water scarcity and climate vulnerability. Through its International Development Association (IDA), it has approved a $160 million grant to bolster water security and climate adaptation in some of the country’s most at-risk provinces.
The Water Security and Resilience Support Project (WSRSP) in Chad is more than an infrastructure initiative—it’s a lifeline for communities grappling with climate shocks, forced displacement, and resource scarcity. By improving access to reliable water systems and climate-resilient services, the project aims to stabilize vulnerable areas where droughts, floods, and land degradation threaten livelihoods.
Key objectives include sustainable resource management, local capacity building, and improved living conditions for those facing climate-related risks. The project will target regions hosting over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad, where water scarcity often fuels community tensions.
Farouk Mollah Banna, the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Chad, emphasized the project’s role in fostering stability: “In a context where water scarcity deepens social divides and displacement crises persist, this initiative restores access to a vital resource and renews hope for the future.” He added that 80 million dollars of the funding comes from the Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR).
The WSRSP aligns with Chad’s Chad Connexion 2030 – Programme 15, marking a shift from humanitarian aid to integrated development in displacement-affected provinces. By focusing on resilience and inclusion, the project supports the government’s vision for long-term stability.
Hawa Cissé Wagué, the World Bank’s Acting Country Director for Chad, highlighted the broader impact: “This operation demonstrates how strategic development investments can become powerful tools for peace and prevention in some of the world’s most fragile settings.” Nearly one million people—more than half from host and refugee communities—will benefit, with women making up 50.6% of the beneficiaries. The project will cover refugee-hosting provinces as well as N’Djamena and other high-risk areas.