Sudanese refugee Women in Chad report sexual exploitation amid dire conditions

The ongoing war in Sudan has driven thousands of refugees across the border into Chad, where women and girls face harrowing conditions, including reports of sexual exploitation by those meant to assist them.

In interviews conducted at refugee camps near the Sudanese border, women disclosed to AMN News that some aid workers and local security personnel have exploited their vulnerability, demanding sexual favors in exchange for food, money, or assistance.

One 27-year-old refugee, cradling her infant, recounted her experience. “We came to Chad, and the food they gave us was not enough,” she said. “I slept with a man and gave birth to this child. I had to because they don’t give us enough to eat.” She claimed the father of her child was an aid worker who had promised her money in exchange for sex.

Another refugee, a 19-year-old woman who witnessed family members killed in Sudan before fleeing to Chad, shared her story from the Aboutengue camp. “In the camp, living conditions were difficult for us, so I went to work in the sex trade to cover our domestic expenses,” she said. She also gave birth to a child as a result of these circumstances. “Now I regret what happened.”

The women, who spoke anonymously due to fears of retaliation, described an environment where survival comes at a cost. Aid workers and security forces named in these accounts have denied the allegations. Ali Mahamat Sebey, the local prefect, dismissed the claims against security forces as baseless.

Chad hosts a growing population of Sudanese refugees, most of whom are women. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide adequate support in the sprawling and overcrowded displacement camps. The lack of sufficient aid has driven some women to what experts call “survival sex.”

“The fact that assistance is not enough for them can be a reason for them to go for survival sex,” said an aid worker, underscoring the challenges women face in displacement camps.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stated that camps are equipped with “safe spaces” for women, a free hotline, and feedback boxes for anonymously reporting abuse. However, many women remain unaware of these resources or fear the consequences of using them, believing such actions could draw unwanted attention.

The ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for increased aid, protection, and accountability to ensure that vulnerable populations are not further victimized in their quest for safety.