Chad

Chad is a developing country in north central Africa. Years of war, drought, and regional instability have hampered the development of its institutions. Facilities for tourism are extremely limited. The capital is N'Djamena. French and Arabic are the official languages. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Chad for additional information. U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned against traveling to eastern Chad and all border regions. Chad’s historically volatile security environment could deteriorate unexpectedly, particularly along the border areas. The ability of the U.S. embassy to provide consular services is limited in remote and rural areas. 

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Chad, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only, and may not fully reflect a particular location or circumstance.

In the capital city of N'Djamena, only the main roads are paved; although the government continues its construction program, hard surface highways are still limited in Chad; other roads are either hard-packed dirt or looser dirt and sand. During the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September) many roads become impassable or are restricted by rain barriers, while during the dry season, clouds of dust rising from the roads reduce visibility.

Visitors should take great care while driving. Both paved and unpaved roads are poorly maintained, and often have large ruts and potholes. All drivers should adjust their speed accordingly. At night, streets are not lit and drivers frequently operate cars or motorcycles without  headlights; it is imperative to watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and livestock, as they may not be visible until they are in very close proximity.

In cities, particularly N'Djamena, motorists share the roads with bicycles, motor scooters, pedestrians, and non-motorized wheelchairs. Lanes are not marked, and it is not uncommon for a normally two-lane thoroughfare to become a four-lane road during rush hours (generally 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Friday). Drivers are urged to be particularly observant at these times because motorists often attempt to overtake slower traffic by moving into oncoming lanes at high speeds. There are only a few traffic lights in N'Djamena, they are often out of service, and drivers frequently do not obey those traffic lights that are in service. Drivers yield to traffic on their right, particularly when entering  traffic circles.

In rural areas, drivers should watch for livestock crossing the roads, and for large birds  that rest on the roads.  Drivers should be alert to older transport trucks traveling between cities, which do not always have functioning headlights.

Emergency services are poor, so drivers should exercise extreme caution. Travelers should always wear seat belts. Seatbelt use is mandatory when traveling in Embassy vehicles. When traveling by car, be sure to carry a spare tire. Professional roadside service is not available. When traveling outside the capital, it is imperative to carry sufficient quantities of drinking water. Drivers should ensure that their gas tanks are at least half-full at all times, as gas stations are not widely available. Gas may be purchased in an emergency in bottles from roadside stands, but it is  of poor quality.

Travelers on roads in all areas of the country are subject to attack by armed bandits.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Chad, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Chad’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

The Department of State has issued a  Travel Warning for Chad to advise travelers of the current security situation. Avoid all travel to eastern Chad, the Chad/Sudan border area, the Lake Chad area, and the Chad/Central African Republic border area because of high levels of violent crime, the risk of clashes between Chadian security forces and criminal or other armed groups, and the risk of conflict among populations living in these areas. Boko Haram has been active in the far north and northern Nigeria in the Lake Chad area. Note the U.S. embassy limits and monitors the travel of official government personnel in the country. U.S. citizens residing in Chad should exercise caution throughout the country. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts should review security precautions and take measures to mitigate exposure to violent crime. The government of Chad requires a travel authorization (autorisation de circuler) for anyone traveling to a humanitarian zone or refugee camp.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to keep up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. embassy by visiting the embassy’s website. 
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the country should take steps to mitigate the risk from violent crime, and maintain caution at public gathering spaces and locations frequented by foreigners, including markets, restaurants, bars, and places of worship. Criminals often target individuals based on their dress, actions, and perceived vigilance or lack thereof. Legal recourse is limited in cases involving theft and robbery. Leave valuable items at home. Do not wear conspicuously expensive jewelry or clothing. Keep cameras and cell phones out of sight, and carry only minimal amounts of cash. Do not carry credit cards. Walk outside only during daylight hours and keep car doors locked.

Petty crimes such as purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and theft from vehicles occur, including in areas frequented by foreigners. Residents have been assaulted during armed burglaries. Carjacking, burglary, and vehicle thefts increase during times of political instability.  

VICTIMS OF CRIME: In general, response or recourse for victims of crime is extremely limited, if not non-existent. Local authorities, not the U.S. government, are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against U.S. citizens.

The U.S. embassy can:

• Assist you in seeking medical assistance and provide a list of doctors.
• Assist you in reporting the crime to the police, explain legal processes in general terms, and provide a list of lawyers.
• Contact relatives or friends at your request and with your written consent.
• Replace a stolen passport.

As of June 2015, the emergency number for police assistance throughout Chad is 2020.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim assistance and compensation programs in the United States.