Chad’s oases vanish as sand and heat intensify

In the Kanem province of Chad, the ancient oases that have sustained life for millennia are facing a severe threat from climate change.

As one of the world’s hottest countries, Chad is experiencing temperatures that are rising nearly twice the global average. This intensifying heat, coupled with powerful winds, is pushing massive sand dunes ever closer to vital water sources such as the Kaou oasis.

These rolling sands threaten to engulf the remaining palm trees and vegetable gardens that hundreds of families depend on for survival. In a determined effort to preserve their land, local communities, with initial support from NGOs, are building barricades from palm fronds to stabilize the dunes. However, with crucial project funding running out, many young people are forced to abandon the struggle and seek perilous work in distant goldfields, highlighting the urgent need for sustained support to protect these fragile ecosystems and the communities they support.