The head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is calling for urgent international support as the number of Sudanese refugees fleeing violence and conflict in Sudan has surpassed 100,000. The majority of these refugees are arriving in eastern Chad, particularly in the provinces of Ouaddaï, Sila, and Wadi Fira. Many of them are from the long-affected Darfur region.
Reports from UNHCR teams indicate that new waves of arrivals are ongoing, with an estimated 200,000 people expected to seek refuge in eastern Chad within the next three months. UNHCR, in coordination with the Chadian government, is working tirelessly to provide support and address the urgent needs of these newly arrived refugees. Efforts include constructing essential infrastructure, such as boreholes and latrines, providing healthcare services through mobile clinics, and expanding existing camps to accommodate the influx of refugees.
With the approaching rainy season, the relocation of refugees to safer areas becomes a logistical challenge that requires immediate action. The establishment of new camps and the extension of existing ones are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the refugees. UNHCR emphasizes the need for additional funding to provide lifesaving interventions and support to both the refugee population and vulnerable host communities affected by the crisis.
Chad already hosted a significant number of refugees prior to this crisis, including those from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cameroon, and other nations. The displacement crisis has put a strain on services, resources, and social cohesion in the country. In addition, internal displacement within Chad itself further exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
UNHCR urges the international community to rally together and provide the necessary support to ensure the provision of critical protection and lifesaving assistance to forcibly displaced individuals in Chad. Immediate funding of $214.1 million is required to address the urgent needs of the refugees, including $72.4 million specifically for the emergency response to refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan.
