In eastern Chad, the WFP is now faced with the daunting challenge of pre-positioning six months' worth of food supplies before the rainy season for up to 500 000 refugees and IDPs, as roads are closed once the rains arrive. Donor contributions are urgently required in order to ensure that purchases are completed in the coming months, and that the food reaches Chad on time. Any delay could have a detrimental impact on the lives of so many people who rely entirely on WFP assistance for survival.

What contribution is the European Commission making to this urgent call for supplies? What moves is the Commission currently making to facilitate the agreement (which it brokered) of 13 August 2007? Given that the Commission is not prepared to include the armed political opposition in the reconciliation process unless they agree to a ceasefire, what action is the Commission taking to encourage these groups to lay down arms? How is the Commission ensuring that the National Commission of Inquiry which has been set up to investigate the events following the rebel offensive in early February will proceed with its work in an objective and impartial manner?