According to Magatte Guisse, UNHCR Representative in Chad, almost 20,000 refugees have attempted to flee the civil war in only the past two weeks, most of them “exhausted and traumatized women and children.”
“Most arrived in Chad with nothing – no food, money, or identification.”
According to his report, the sharpest rise of 6,000 people occurred at the Tiné border crossing in Wadi Fria Province.
Amid the chaos, several injured individuals, children and elderly women among them, were reportedly thrown from vehicles. A swift evaluation conducted by UNHCR and its partners found that 76% of the newly arrived refugees had experienced severe protection violations, such as extortion, robbery, and sexual assault.
As conflict in the Darfur region deteriorates further and further, the worst humanitarian crisis does too, with mass displacement rising at a shocking pace.
Mounting Strain on Chad
At a press briefing on 6th May, Guisse expressed the UN Refugee Agency’s deep concern over the sharp rise in Sudanese refugees entering eastern Chad.
Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, already hosts about 1.3 million refugees, 794,000 of whom are from Sudan, having arrived due to this conflict.
“While the country continues to show remarkable solidarity in hosting refugees, it cannot bear this burden alone,” Guisse warned, adding that resources are “extremely limited, while needs continue to grow.”
“We urgently call for increased solidarity and immediate funding to ensure these vulnerable populations receive the protection and assistance they need, now.”
As violence continues to escalate in the North Darfur region, more are expected to arrive in Wadi Fira, which already counted over 14,000 individuals since 21st April and 12,000 since the 29th. Ennedi Est reported about 5,300 people, 1,000 of which arrived in a single day.
Based on the information the arriving refugees provided, over 10,000 more could be en route to Chad.
Sudan Engulfed in Conflict
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been locked in conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The conflict has triggered the most pressing humanitarian crisis in recent times.
The most recent wave of refugees began due to increased fighting in the city of El-Fasher and its surrounding areas in the Darfur Province.
The Zamzam Camp, one of the local displacement camps, was invaded by RSF paramilitaries on 11th April. The Guardian reported that an estimated 700,000 people resided there, making it the largest displacement camp in Sudan.
According to AfricaNews, the only functioning medical centre in Zamzam was destroyed, and at least 400 people were killed, including 9 Relief International workers. The attack is cited as the worst in its 20-year history.
The other major displacement camp, Abu Shouk, also suffered shelling hits in March and consistent attacks since.
