Chad:Ana Damasio, who works with aid agency Oxfam Spain, was evacuated from N'Djamena late on Saturday night amid fierce rebel fighting.
"We raised out alert level within Oxfam on Thursday when we heard of the rebel advance and then restricted our movement in N'Djamena. At that stage daily life was still going on more or less as usual with kids at school and markets open. But on Friday the situation changed, with people staying in their homes and the city becoming almost deserted.
"On Saturday the French embassy told their citizens to go to shelters and our group went to the French high school, which was guarded by French soldiers. The school was only about a kilometre from the presidential palace and we felt heavy bombing and fighting close by.
"People weren't panicking and the French soldiers made sure they spoke to people to keep them calm. But we were all very worried and could see armed cars in the streets and some looting . . .
"We knew the rebels weren't there to target us as foreigners. But we also knew the rebels had criticised the French for their presence in Chad. There was a certain moment when I thought anything was possible.
"Later that night we were evacuated by armoured car in a convoy. We got out safely but another convoy had to pull back because of fighting.
"Oxfam isn't sending anyone back to the capital until the security situation improves. But we continue to attend to 100,000 refugees and displaced people . . . in eastern Chad. We will only pull out if we have to.
"We want to see the EU force deploy. Our only concern is that it is seen to be neutral."