Sudanese Refugee Crisis in Chad reaches historic proportions amid escalating Civil War

The unrelenting civil war in Sudan has forced tens of thousands to flee into neighboring Chad, with the country now hosting over a million Sudanese refugees the largest influx in its history.

Since the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, more than 11 million people have been displaced within and outside Sudan. Chad has taken in over 700,000 refugees, with an additional 60,000 arriving in October following intensified fighting in the Darfur region and the retreat of seasonal floodwaters.

Nearly 90% of the refugees are women and children, many of whom arrive in Chad with few possessions and deep scars from the violence they have endured. A staggering 71% of refugees report experiencing human rights violations during their escape from Sudan.

Among them is 17-year-old Ahlam Moussa Mahamat, who now lives in the overcrowded Farchana refugee camp in eastern Chad. Recalling her harrowing experience, she said, “They took my sister and beat her up many times. Then they shot me. They shot me three times.”

Farchana, established in 2004 to accommodate refugees fleeing earlier conflicts in Sudan, is now bursting at the seams. Chronic overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure leave residents without basic services, including healthcare.

The absence of a hospital or emergency transport poses severe risks, particularly for pregnant women. “Giving birth is the most pressing challenge,” said Souat Oumar, a women’s community leader in the camp. “Sometimes the woman might be bleeding seriously or have a miscarriage. From that, some women might pass away.”

The massive refugee influx has stretched humanitarian agencies to their limits. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has reported critical funding shortfalls, with only 36% of its $23.6 million humanitarian appeal for Chad in 2024 funded. This has left many women without access to safe childbirth supplies and limited support for survivors of sexual violence.

Looking ahead, UNFPA estimates it will need $27.8 million to address the most critical needs of women and girls in 2025.

As the Sudanese conflict shows no sign of abating, Chad faces a daunting challenge in providing refuge and basic services to those fleeing unimaginable violence.