Well prepared Red Cross/Red Crescent societies for disaster response: Chad The purpose of the response preparedness programme in Chad is for the Netherlands Red Cross and Chad Red Cross to strengthen the capacity of the Red Cross national society in Chad. Chad is affected by natural disasters, such as floods and draughts, epidemics, and refugee displacement from its neighbours such Libya and Sudan, and internal instabilities. Food insecurity further complicates response preparedness in Chad where governmental and local responses are limited due to capacity. Chad Red Cross also lacks the capacity to effectively handle disaster and emergency response, resulting in affected populations failing to receive adequate assistance, multiplying the effects of disasters. The Netherlands Red Cross and Chad Red Cross will engage response-preparedness issues in Chad by: improving the function of Chad Red Cross’ national and local response mechanisms, strategically positioning and logistically supporting Red Cross relief stocks in Chad, strengthening Chad Red Cross’ human resource capacities for disaster management, and improving Chad Red Cross ‘ disaster management plan. The programme targets Chad Red Cross staff, and families in disaster-prone regions. National Disaster Team (NDRT)and Branch Disaster Response Team (BDRT) will be trained, and training will be carried out in 2012 and be followed-up with yearly refresher trainings from 2013-2015. Chad Red Cross’ 5 Disaster Management (DM) staff will be augmented, with other staff receiving yearly refresher trainings. 4,000 families in the 7 most disaster-prone areas, and in N’Djamena, will also be targeted in the form strategically-placed relief kits. The programme in Chad is implemented throughout the country.