Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-08 08:40:32
The United Nations has reported that Chad is bearing the brunt of the conflict in Sudan, with 46.9% of Sudanese refugees seeking shelter in the country. Since the outbreak of armed clashes in Sudan in April 2023, refugees and Chadian returnees from Darfur have been converging on over 37 border entry points in eastern Chad in search of safety and protection.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the conflict has resulted in over a million people being displaced to neighboring countries, with more than 686,000 seeking refuge in Chad. The number of new arrivals continues to increase each week, putting a strain on resources and services in the region.
In addition to the Sudanese refugees, there are also concerns for the 139,932 Chadians who have returned from Sudan without any means of support. These returnees are living in various camps, both formal and informal, in four provinces in eastern Chad.
The situation is dire, with over 5 million children and pregnant or breastfeeding women experiencing extreme hunger and a lack of access to essential services. Many of these refugees and returnees are facing challenges in accessing healthcare due to limited resources and medicine availability.
The crisis is further complicated by outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever, measles, acute gastroenteritis, and suspected cases of yellow fever and cholera in the affected provinces. The lack of adequate healthcare and sanitation facilities exacerbates the already dire conditions faced by the refugees and returnees.
As of February 4, 2024, there have been 4,566 new refugees registered in the eastern provinces of Chad, bringing the total number of registered Sudanese refugees to 546,770. The majority of these refugees are located in Adré, which is considered the epicenter of the crisis. Additionally, there have been 139,932 Chadian returnees since the conflict began in Sudan.
The refugees and returnees are dispersed across the provinces of Ouaddaï, Sila, Wadi-Fira, and Ennedi East in Chad. Tragically, OCHA has reported a total of 263 deaths, including malnourished children, maternal deaths, casualties, and others, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
Overall, more than 25 million people in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are facing worsening food security situations, according to the latest UN data. The crisis in Chad underscores the urgent need for international support and aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict and displacement.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
