N'Djamena: In the past two weeks, nearly 20,000 refugees, primarily traumatized women and children, have arrived in Chad from Sudan, reports the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Magatte Guisse, UNHCR’s representative in Chad, stated that most of these refugees arrived with nothing—no food, money, or identification. Many of them are severely distressed, with some suffering injuries after falling from vehicles during their chaotic escape.
Chad, one of the world’s poorest nations, is already grappling with the strain of hosting 1.3 million refugees, including close to 800,000 who have fled Sudan since conflict erupted in April 2023. The violence began following a failed transition to civilian rule, leading to a brutal power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ongoing fighting in Sudan has devastated large parts of the country, causing massive displacement. UN agencies estimate that the conflict has killed tens of thousands and forced nearly nine million people from their homes.
The situation at the Tine border crossing in Wadi Fira Province, Chad, has become particularly dire, with over 6,000 new arrivals recorded in just two days. Refugees recount harrowing experiences, including robbery and extortion at checkpoints, witnessing murders, sexual violence against women and girls, and the destruction of homes.
UNHCR has highlighted that around 76% of newly arrived refugees have been subjected to crimes by armed groups, including robbery, extortion, and sexual assault. Given its limited resources, Chad is now facing significant challenges in providing adequate protection and support to these vulnerable populations.
In a related development, Sudan’s Port Sudan has come under repeated drone strikes, targeting the international airport, a power station, and other key infrastructure. As the primary hub for humanitarian coordination in Sudan, Port Sudan’s airport is a critical lifeline, facilitating the movement of aid workers, medical supplies, and other essential relief items.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the attacks have further disrupted aid delivery across Sudan. Jens Laerke, OCHA’s spokesperson, emphasized the importance of the airport, calling it a vital access point for humanitarian efforts.
Although no UN facilities were directly impacted, UN Humanitarian Air Service flights in and out of Port Sudan have been suspended. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, condemned the strikes, warning that they would exacerbate the suffering of the Sudanese people and complicate aid distribution.
Initial reports suggest that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are behind these attacks, further escalating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan."
