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<p>The UK engages directly with Chad through our non-resident ambassador and our office
in N'Djamena. The ambassador last spoke to Foreign Minister Cherif on 9 June to discuss
the impacts of COVID-19, the security situation, plans for elections and other elements
of UK-Chad cooperation.</p><p>The UK is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security
situation in the Sahel and is clear that long-term peace and stability in this region
will support UK interests, including in wider West Africa. The UK is committed to
working with all partners, including the G5 Sahel countries, to support those most
in need and tackle the long-term drivers of instability in the region. The Minister
for Africa, James Duddridge, attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General
Assembly and the sixth Summit of the G5 Leaders (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania
and Niger) in Mauritania on 25 February. He also attended the virtual ministerial
meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel on 12 June. At both meetings, he reaffirmed
the UK's efforts to improve security and encourage development in the Sahel.</p><p>The
UK is supporting the security response across the Sahel region, including in Chad,
through three CH47 Chinook helicopters and support personnel in a non-combat role
with the French-led counter-terrorism mission Operation BARKHANE. The UK is committed
to helping the G5 Sahel Joint Force reach full operational capability, and has provided
bilateral funding towards the provision of non-lethal military equipment and support
for the human rights compliance framework. The UK is also supporting efforts to improve
security in the Lake Chad Basin. The UK contributes military personnel to the P3 Cellule
de Coordination et Liaison in N'Djamena, which gives the Multi-National Joint Task
Force technical and strategic support. The UK is also supporting Chad by providing
life-saving humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis, while investing
in longer-term resilience through programmes that help widen access to social protection
and enable households to adapt to the changing climate. Between 2015 and 2019, the
UK provided over £91.2 million to Chad in bilateral humanitarian and development aid.</p><p>
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