UNHCR worried by threat of crisis in Chad as refugee numbers swell
It’s been nearly a year since the conflict pitting the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces commenced, and its repercussions have extended into neighboring countries like Chad.
The United Nations refugee agency, UNCHR, on Friday expressed growing concern about an imminent influx of refugees from Darfur into Chad in the coming weeks, as Sudanese citizens continue to flee their homeland.
The UNCHR, while highlighting a shortage of food and essential resources for the fleeing masses, has appealed to the international community to provide humanitarian aid and substantial development investment to stabilize Chad’s fragile socio-economic environment, particularly in its Eastern refugee-hosting regions.
Despite the strain on Chad, the country has reiterated commitment to its open-door policy for refugees.
UNHCR’s Deputy High Commissioner, Kelly T. Clements, currently in Chad to assess operations and discuss responses with officials, on Friday, March 1, emphasized the concerns of Chadian authorities regarding the potential arrival of more hungry Sudanese families in the coming weeks.
The UNHCR is clear that Chad’s generosity in hosting refugees from Sudan’s year-long conflict and previous emergencies has stretched its resources, thus amplifying the need for immediate funding.
The World Food Programme (WFP) suspended rations to some refugee groups in Chad due to insufficient funds, leading the government to declare a state of emergency for food and nutrition security.
The UNHCR noted that the cessation of food distributions from Chad to Darfur had raised concerns about the security and protection situation in both regions.
UN agencies report that nearly 90 percent of the refugees, predominantly women and children, have faced gender-based violence, including rape, during their journey. While UNHCR provides medical and psychological support, the agency says there is a pressing need for comprehensive follow-up assistance.
Although refugee arrivals have slowed in recent months, UNHCR warns that the situation could change rapidly. With limited resources and tight humanitarian funding, there are fears that the border region may face a challenging lean season before heavy rains hit the camps.
The UN refugee agency has emphasized the urgent need for development actors to step up efforts to address the crisis in Chad.
By mid-February 2024, more than 553,150 new refugees from Sudan had been counted, making Chad the largest per capita host of Sudanese refugees since the conflict began in April 2023.
Chad currently hosts 1.1 million refugees, including those from before the recent war, as well as individuals from the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
The UNHCR has relocated nearly 260,000 Sudanese refugees to new sites, with an additional 160,000 awaiting relocation. However, finding suitable new sites remains a significant challenge for the UN refugee agency.
