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U.S. Embassy N’Djamena COVID-19 Fact Sheet
9 MINUTE READ
March 25, 2020

The U.S. Embassy is monitoring the current situation in Chad.  The Embassy is aware of the hardship airport and border closures are creating for U.S. citizens who need to get to the United States.  We are exploring all options to address the current travel disruptions.  If you have not done so, please enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so U.S. Embassy N’Djamena can contact you with updated information in an emergency.

Effective March 23, 2020, U.S. Embassy N’Djamena has suspended routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please email NdjamenaACS@state.gov.

The N’Djamena International Airport has closed to all passenger flights.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

The Chadian Ministry of Public Health has a hotline “green” number 1313 for inquiries about the COVID-19 virus. The call is free and available 24/7.  This is a key channel for public health specialists to reach you and to receive information.

Assistance:

 What the United States is Doing

  • President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which includes $8.3 billion in supplemental funding to combat the coronavirus.  Some of these funds may be used for the development of necessary countermeasures and vaccines, as well as the purchase of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and necessary medical supplies.
  • The entire U.S. government continues to work in earnest to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, in collaboration with private industry, academia, and international partners.
  • The U.S. Government announced the release of $62 million from the Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious-Disease Outbreaks (ERF) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to address the pandemic of COVID-19.  USAID will use these new funds and the $37 million from the ERF previously authorized and announced for critical interventions in developing countries affected by, or at high-risk for, the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The US is the global leader in public health assistance, with $9.5 billion appropriated in 2019 to support international public health. This includes funding to counter HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, pandemic threats, and other health needs. More information is available at https://foreignassistance.gov/categories/Health.
  • The United States contributes one-third of the Global Fund budget, which provided $41.8 million for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Health Systems Strengthening in Chad during 2019.
  • The United States has committed more than $100 billion over the last 20 years to support public health on the African continent—by far the largest contribution by any donor nation.
  • Over 3,000 laboratories in African countries are supported with U.S. assistance funds, including 28 national reference labs, providing a strong foundation for coronavirus testing and response.
  • The United States has spent $900 million annually on physical laboratory infrastructure in recent years to build and maintain this network, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to partnership with African nations in the critical area of public health.
  • We will continue to work closely with our African partners to meet the emergency of this pandemic and to protect the health security of the American Homeland and of African states.

What the U.S. Embassy in Chad is Doing

  • We are taking action to ensure the health and safety of our mission staff and our partners.
  • The Embassy is providing updated travel guidance and information about emergency American Citizen Services.
  • We are providing frequent updates on our website and Facebook page with information about COVID-19 and actions you can take to protect yourself and others from transmission.
  • We have implemented measures to minimize possible exposure to embassy personnel and the public by reducing staffing, additional cleaning of surfaces, encouraging hand washing, and providing hand sanitizer throughout the Embassy.

What You Can Do (From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • If you are sick do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

For information about the U.S. Embassy in Chad, including information for U.S. citizens, visit https://td.usembassy.gov/.

For information about travel to the United States, including COVID-19 related measures, visit travel.state.gov.

The Chadian Ministry of Public Health has a hotline “green” number 1313 for inquiries about the COVID-19 virus. The call is free and available 24/7.