Thousands of Sudanese flee into poverty-stricken Chad as war escalates
The devastating conflict in Sudan has claimed nearly 12 million displaced people, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Chad. The impoverished nation is already struggling to provide for its own population, let alone those fleeing from the war-torn country.
According to recent data from the United Nations, over 4.3 million Sudanese have fled their homes since the start of the civil war in April 2023. Many are seeking safety and basic necessities such as food in eastern Chad, but what they find is a harsh reality. The region is already home to seven million people, with at least half being children, all requiring humanitarian assistance.
The situation is further exacerbated by the influx of tens of thousands more Sudanese refugees arriving daily in Tine, a border town on the outskirts of the conflict zone. Inflation soars as prices for essential goods skyrocket, leaving residents struggling to afford basic supplies. "Everything in the market here is expensive; nothing is cheap," said local resident Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The humanitarian crisis deepens as aid workers warn of increased competition for limited resources such as food, shelter, and water. The continuous arrival of refugees has put pressure on already stretched services, including hospitals and schools, which are now facing unprecedented challenges.
School-age children make up 57 percent of the incoming Sudanese population, but there is a severe shortage of learning spaces and qualified teachers. "We donβt have the funding to construct at least temporarily learning spaces," said John-Paul Habamungu, a UNHCR representative on the ground.
As the war shows no signs of stopping, aid workers fear that the worst may yet be approaching. The European Union has recently imposed sanctions against senior officials from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accused of committing crimes during the conflict in Darfur.
The move is seen as a signal to the international community that those responsible for the atrocities will not be spared. "This sends a message that we will come after those who are responsible," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
In Chad, residents like Khadijah Kurgule are bearing the brunt of the crisis. "There are goods everywhere but people canβt afford them," she said, highlighting the desperation and frustration faced by those caught in the midst of this humanitarian disaster.
The devastating conflict in Sudan has claimed nearly 12 million displaced people, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Chad. The impoverished nation is already struggling to provide for its own population, let alone those fleeing from the war-torn country.
According to recent data from the United Nations, over 4.3 million Sudanese have fled their homes since the start of the civil war in April 2023. Many are seeking safety and basic necessities such as food in eastern Chad, but what they find is a harsh reality. The region is already home to seven million people, with at least half being children, all requiring humanitarian assistance.
The situation is further exacerbated by the influx of tens of thousands more Sudanese refugees arriving daily in Tine, a border town on the outskirts of the conflict zone. Inflation soars as prices for essential goods skyrocket, leaving residents struggling to afford basic supplies. "Everything in the market here is expensive; nothing is cheap," said local resident Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The humanitarian crisis deepens as aid workers warn of increased competition for limited resources such as food, shelter, and water. The continuous arrival of refugees has put pressure on already stretched services, including hospitals and schools, which are now facing unprecedented challenges.
School-age children make up 57 percent of the incoming Sudanese population, but there is a severe shortage of learning spaces and qualified teachers. "We donβt have the funding to construct at least temporarily learning spaces," said John-Paul Habamungu, a UNHCR representative on the ground.
As the war shows no signs of stopping, aid workers fear that the worst may yet be approaching. The European Union has recently imposed sanctions against senior officials from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accused of committing crimes during the conflict in Darfur.
The move is seen as a signal to the international community that those responsible for the atrocities will not be spared. "This sends a message that we will come after those who are responsible," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
In Chad, residents like Khadijah Kurgule are bearing the brunt of the crisis. "There are goods everywhere but people canβt afford them," she said, highlighting the desperation and frustration faced by those caught in the midst of this humanitarian disaster.