The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that more than 634,000 Sudanese refugees, originating from over 178,000 households, have sought refuge in Chad since the outbreak of conflict in mid-April last year. This influx has placed immense pressure on the host country, Chad, as it grapples with the mounting humanitarian crisis.
The refugees have primarily settled in the provinces of Ouaddai, Sila, Wadi Fira, and Ennedi-Est, with Ouaddai hosting the largest number of refugees, totaling 447,617 individuals. Sila and Wadi Fira have taken in 93,841 and 85,674 refugees respectively, while Ennedi-Est has received 7,046.
The UNHCR has registered over 580,000 refugees from 164,209 households, categorizing them as women at risk, single parents, elderly persons, children, and individuals with disabilities, among others. Alarmingly, 89 percent of the refugees in Chad are women and children, with women accounting for 26 percent of the population. Many of these individuals are struggling with a lack of basic healthcare for their families.
Chadian authorities estimate that the number of refugees and returnees could soar to 910,000 by the end of 2024, given the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the steady flow of new arrivals. The conflict has displaced over 10 million people, making it the largest displacement crisis globally. While the majority remain within Sudan, approximately 2 million have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad.
Hundreds of Sudanese refugees continue to cross the border into Chad daily. However, many of the existing camps and makeshift settlements in eastern Chad are overcrowded and suffering from severe shortages of food and healthcare.
In response, Chadian authorities, UNHCR, and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) are working to address the crisis, providing life-saving assistance and protection services in both spontaneous sites and newly established settlements. These efforts include relocating 49 percent of the refugees from makeshift arrival sites to more organized settlements, where both refugees and host communities benefit from humanitarian aid.
The situation remains dire, with humanitarian workers continuing to support the Chadian government and local authorities in their efforts to manage the crisis and provide essential services to those in need.
