UNHCR calls for urgent action as refugee crisis escalates in Chad

Thursday 12 June 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

UNHCR calls for urgent action as refugee crisis escalates in Chad

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued a dire warning about a growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Chad, where over a million refugees from Sudan’s Darfur region have sought sanctuary following intensified violence in the ongoing Sudanese civil war.

Refugees fleeing escalating violence in Sudan

Since the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war in 2023, approximately 1.2 million Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad, with 844,000 crossing the border this year alone. The influx has surged in recent weeks, with 20,000 individuals fleeing Northern Darfur, where violence has escalated sharply. Armed gangs and the Sudanese military have devastated villages, leaving destruction, reports of rape, and mass killings in their wake.

Chad, which had already been hosting over 409,000 Sudanese refugees from earlier conflicts, is now overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. Many of the displaced have endured harrowing conditions, including robbery and extortion at checkpoints, while others arrived wounded. Women and children are among the most vulnerable, suffering disproportionately from the violence and deprivation.

Chad’s humanitarian challenges

The burden of this crisis is straining Chad’s limited resources. Under the leadership of General Mahamat Deby Itno, the country is grappling with its own political and economic difficulties following the death of former President Idriss Deby. Local communities in eastern Chad, already struggling with poverty, are now stretched to their limits as they attempt to accommodate the growing number of refugees. itarian resources in the region are critically insufficient, with severe shortages in water, food, shelter, healthcare, education, and protection services. Refugees are facing dire conditions in overcrowded camps, while local authorities and aid organizations struggle to meet even the most basic needs.

UNHCR calls for international support

The UNHCR has called on the global community to urgently increase its support for Chad’s humanitarian response. During a recent UN Security Council meeting, Abdou Abarry, the UN Special Representative in Central Africa, emphasized the critical need for enhanced international assistance to stabilize the region and provide emergency aid.

Chad’s efforts to implement emergency stabilization programs and provide humanitarian assistance have been commendable, but the scale of the crisis demands broader international action. Without significant interventions, the situation risks worsening, with devastating consequences for refugees and the host communities.

This refugee crisis is the latest tragic chapter in Sudan’s protracted conflict, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the violence that continues to displace millions and destabilize the region.