The number fleeing violence in Sudan since fighting between rival armies began in mid-April in Khartoum, which quickly destabilized the country, has now reached 100,000.
The majority of those arriving in eastern Chad – especially the provinces of Ouaddaï, Sila and Wadi Fira – come from the Darfur region, which has been deeply affected by violence for decades, the reminder UNHCR.
Thousands of others are on the move
In a press release, the agency said: “Reports from our teams at the border indicate that the influx of newcomers is still ongoing,” and estimates that up to 200,000 people could be forced to enter the country. must flee to eastern Chad for the next three months.
UNHCR and its partners have worked closely with the Chadian government, providing assistance and coordinating the emergency response to address the needs of newly arrived refugees.
Laura Lo Castro, UNHCR Representative in Chad, said humanitarian activities have “been working around the clock to provide security servicesincluding special support for violence survivors and children at risk, construction of wells, installation of emergency toilets, operation of mobile clinics, organization of resettlement convoys complex, scale up camps to accommodate newly arrived refugees in existing camps, build shelters for families and communities infrastructure and we are starting to build camps new.”
The agency said the rainy season is fast approaching, requiring a large-scale logistical exercise to move refugees away from border areas to ensure their safety and protection.
Fighting to build a new camp
“We need to immediately set up new camps and expand existing camps,” the agency said. “EQUAL host population seriously affected by the situation in Sudan, some support will need to be extended to the most vulnerable in the host community.
UNHCR stressed that additional funding is needed to deliver life-saving interventions.
Crisis protracted
Before this crisis, Chad has hosted nearly 589,000 refugeesincluding 409,819 Sudanese fleeing conflict in Darfur, as of March 2023.
Nearly 128,000 refugees are in the country from Central African Republic; 21.287 Nigerian escape the violence of Boko Haram, present in the Lake region; 28,311 Cameroonian affected by tensions between communes and 1,507 refugees from other countries.
Tens of thousands of refugees have arrived in Chad from Sudan.
In addition, an estimated 381,289 Chadians are internally displaced, mainly in the province of Lake Chad.
Displaced communities continue facing insecurity in Chad and neighboring countries, along with food insecurity, malnutrition, the effects of climate change and lack of livelihood opportunities.
The UNHCR said the lengthy nature of the relocation had put a strain on services, natural resources and social cohesion.
‘Lighthouse of hope’
Ms. Lo Castro added: “For families who have been uprooted by the crisis, humanitarian assistance is a beacon of hope. We rely on the compassion and generosity of our partners to rally with us. each other to ensure the supply Critical protection and life-saving support. Together, we can save lives and restore dignity to those in despair.”
UNHCR reiterated that $214.1 million is urgently needed to provide protection and life-saving assistance to displaced Chadians, including $72.4 million for emergency response for displaced persons. refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan.
