Thousands of Sudanese families continue to flee their country’s devastating civil war, seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad, which is already grappling with its own humanitarian crises. Since the conflict began in April 2023 between the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), over 4.3 million Sudanese have crossed borders into surrounding nations, according to the latest figures from the United Nations.
The situation in Sudan has led to what the UN describes as the world’s worst displacement crisis, with nearly 12 million people fleeing their homes amidst violence and food shortages. Many Sudanese are making their way to eastern Chad, convinced it offers a safer environment and access to food. Unfortunately, Chad is struggling with its own challenges, as approximately seven million people there already require humanitarian assistance, including at least half who are children.
Growing Strain on Resources
In the border town of Tine, families arrive daily, overwhelming local resources. Abdulsalam Abubakar, a resident of Tine, shared with Al Jazeera that the recent surge in demand has caused prices to skyrocket. “Everything in the market here is expensive; nothing is cheap,” he stated. Local traders are also feeling the impact, as Khadijah Kurgule, a food seller, explained, “Now food is expensive because more than 10,000 Sudanese arrived here after their country disintegrated.”
The influx of refugees fleeing mass killings in areas such as el-Fasher in western Sudan’s Darfur region has further strained the already limited resources in Chad. Humanitarian aid workers have noted that the growing number of refugees intensifies competition for food, water, and shelter. Long queues have become commonplace at aid distribution points, and hospitals and schools are overwhelmed.
John-Paul Habamungu, a representative from the UNHCR, reported that 57 percent of the incoming Sudanese population consists of school-age children, yet there are no facilities available for their education. “We don’t have the funding to construct at least temporary learning spaces. We don’t have the means to recruit teachers,” he explained.
International Response and Ongoing Challenges
As the crisis continues, the United Nations is attempting to alleviate some of the burdens by relocating several thousand refugees to less congested areas. Nevertheless, aid workers warn that the situation may worsen, with no signs of resolution in the conflict back in Sudan.
In a significant international response, the European Union recently imposed sanctions on Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy leader of the RSF, as part of measures targeting those responsible for the violence in el-Fasher. The sanctions include an EU-wide travel ban, asset freezes, and restrictions on generating profits within the 27-member bloc. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the ongoing atrocities.
As thousands of families continue to seek refuge in Chad, the humanitarian needs are likely to escalate, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance and a resolution to the conflict in Sudan.
