Brussels  - The UN-EU peacekeeping mission in Chad is unable to protect many of the country's civilians due to a combination of delays, bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of coordination, according to a report published Tuesday by the international charity Oxfam.

Based on interviews with refugees living in camps, as well as regional experts and aid workers, the report found that despite the international presence, half a million people are still vulnerable to attacks and abuse.

"Having fled the violence in Darfur and Chad, people thought they had found sanctuary. But eastern Chad is a volatile, lawless land and they are now marooned living in constant threat," said Roland Van Hauwermeiren, Oxfam GB's country director in Chad.

The peacekeeping mission, which was mandated by the UN Security Council in September 2007, comprises a UN police component, MINURCAT - which is in charge of security inside refugee camps - and the European Union military force (EUFOR) - in charge of general security.

The Oxfam report is particularly critical of the policing side, noting that just 320 Chadian police have been trained to date.

"This law and order vacuum has resulted in attacks on aid workers and civilians mushrooming as bandits realise they can rob and kill without fear," Oxfam said.

EUFOR, on the other hand, is credited by the report with making many feel more secure by patrolling main roads, destroying unexploded bombs and positioning battalions around camps during rebel and government fighting.

"The report is positive towards EUFOR," EUFOR Commandant Dan Harvey told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Harvey said EUFOR was ready to assist MINURCAT and was looking forward to September 24, when the EU mission's mandate is due to come up for renewal.

Asked about Oxfam's accusation that there was a lack of cooperation between the UN-EU mission and local authorities, Harvey said EUFOR had held 15 meetings with the government between August 16 and August 30 alone.

"We have also had 32 meetings with non-governmental organizations and have visited 73 villages. (EU Operation Commander) Lieutenant General Patrick Nash is now in Chad and will have further meetings with the government," Harvey told dpa.

Consisting of 3,700 soldiers from 14 European countries, EUFOR is the EU's largest ever military mission. Its main objectives are to protect civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and help protect UN personnel, equipment and facilities.

"The EU must take greater responsibility for the success of the whole mission, not just EUFOR," said Elise Ford, Oxfam's Humanitarian Policy Advisor in Brussels. (dpa)