Countries: Chad, Sudan Source: Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development Since April 2023, Adré has been facing one of the fastest refugee influxes in recent decades. Fleeing violence in Darfur, hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees have crossed the Chadian border, placing the town under immediate strain. Among the most pressing needs, sanitation quickly emerged as a critical challenge: overflowing latrines, increasing epidemic risks, and an overstretched sanitation infrastructure. Acted, present in Chad since 2004, deployed its teams from the very first days of the crisis and has gradually positioned itself as a key actor in sanitation, particularly through latrine desludging activities in Adré and at the Dougui site, with the support of DG ECHO. In January 2026, following the withdrawal of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Acted took over the management of the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), ensuring the continuity of a service essential to public health. In Adré, without proper sludge treatment, the risks are immediate: contamination of water and soil, and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and hepatitis E. Before the establishment of a structured treatment system, unsafe desludging practices were widespread: uncontrolled dumping near homes, groundwater contamination, and latrines becoming unusable due to lack of maintenance. The result has been a continuous deterioration of living conditions and the premature degradation of already overstretched infrastructure. The FSTP provides a concrete response to this challenge. Equipped with storage tanks, drying beds, infiltration trenches for biological treatment, and a mechanism for incinerating solid residues, it ensures a complete and safe treatment cycle. Emptied latrines are quickly brought back into use, and their lifespan is extended. With an estimated desludging capacity of 400 m3 per month, the plant is designed to serve up to 18, 000 people. The impact is particularly visible for the most vulnerable populations. Women benefit from access to clean and functional latrines, improving their safety, especially at night. Children, meanwhile, grow up in a healthier environment, reducing their exposure to disease, which translates into better health and improved access to education. The FSTP is therefore far more than a technical facility: it is a cornerstone of dignity and protection for displaced communities. Adrien, WASH Officer at the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant Initially, the sludge was buried in the ground without any form of testing or safeguards. This was a major concern for us, both environmentally and socially. However, since the launch and operation of the plant, the sludge is now treated and analysed before being buried, in compliance with environmental standards. This provides us with reassurance in terms of public health prevention for our community and environmental health. Thanks to the different treatment processes the sludge undergoes, we are protected from several diseases that could previously have been caused by the collected sludge. Adrien, WASH Officer Beyond the immediate response, the Adré FSTP is also opening up economic opportunities in the region. Once treated and dried, the sludge can be transformed into eco-friendly charcoal, reducing pressure on local forest resources, or used as organic fertiliser to improve soil fertility. Still in the development phase, this approach lays the foundations for a more sustainable model, based on the gradual involvement of communities. The technical expertise developed, the raw materials available on the Adré site, and the engagement of refugee community-based organisations (CBOs) offer tangible prospects. By turning a public health challenge into a driver of local development, Acted demonstrates its conviction: even in the most demanding contexts, sustainable, community-driven solutions are possible. Claire, nurse at the NGO Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) Our latrines were full, raising serious concerns about the potential spread of diseases linked to poor sanitation. Acted’s intervention enabled them to be brought back into service quickly, thereby ensuring a safer environment for both patients and staff. It also spared us from having to build new latrines, allowing those resources to be redirected towards other medical activities. Claire, nurse Drying bed at the faecal sludge treatment plant in Adré By structuring waste management in an emergency context, Acted goes beyond addressing an immediate public health crisis. The organisation is implementing sustainable solutions that improve living conditions, reduce environmental risks, and create new opportunities for affected populations. In Adré, sanitation is therefore becoming a key lever for protection, dignity, and resilience.
Chad: Adré: Acted’s Response to Emergency, Structuring Waste Management in Crisis Contexts
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