Displaced by War: The Struggle of Nearly One Million People in Chad

Image Credit, NRC

The crisis in Sudan has forced nearly one million people to seek refuge in Chad, a country already grappling with extreme poverty and limited resources. Among the displaced are over 720,000 Sudanese refugees and more than 220,000 returning Chadians, many of whom fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The overwhelming majority are women and children, and their journey has been marked by unspeakable violence, including torture, rape, and sexual slavery. Despite the dire circumstances, international humanitarian organizations warn that vital protection and education services remain severely underfunded, leaving countless individuals without the support they need to rebuild their lives.

For those who have made the arduous journey across the border, safety remains elusive. Nima, a refugee from Darfur, recounted walking for five days with her husband and three daughters after surviving a brutal attack. While reaching Chad initially provided a sense of relief, the trauma of war lingers. Her six-year-old daughter wakes up screaming from nightmares, terrified that the violence will follow them to the refugee camps. Nima herself struggles with constant fear, unable to feel at home in a place that offers little security or stability.

According to protection monitoring data collected in October 2024, more than two-thirds of refugees arriving in Chad reported experiencing violence during their flight, with a third subjected to physical assault. A UN fact-finding mission further documented large-scale sexual violence committed by armed groups in Sudan, underscoring the severity of the crisis. These harrowing accounts highlight the urgent need for psychological support and protective measures, yet such assistance remains woefully inadequate.

Alix Camus, President of the INGO Forum and country director of Acted, emphasized the sheer scale of the crisis. “Most refugees cross the border with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and an abundance of harrowing stories,” Camus said. Despite the clear need for mental health support, child protection, and programs addressing gender-based violence, funding shortages have left these critical services on the sidelines. In 2024, only 30% of the Refugee Response Plan for Chad was funded, leading to widespread shortages of food, education, and medical care.

The lack of educational opportunities is particularly concerning. In eastern Chad, more than 80% of children—refugees, returnees, and those from host communities—were not in school last year. A UNHCR assessment in Wadi Fira found a severe shortage of school infrastructure and teachers, leaving thousands of children without access to even the most basic education. Mastam Degolmal, Education Coordinator for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Adré, stressed the importance of education as a stabilizing force. “Going back to school is ‘make-or-break’ for the children’s present and their future. Education is the most powerful way to reintroduce a reassuring routine in their lives and rebuild hope,” he said. However, the funding gap has left thousands of students without school supplies, teachers, or proper facilities.

Chad, one of the world’s poorest nations, has taken in a third of all Sudanese refugees displaced in 2024, further straining its already limited resources. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to scale up their response, with food assistance failing to meet daily nutritional needs and protection services critically underfunded. A report by Acted in November 2024 found that three out of four refugee households relied on food aid, yet less than 8% of them received enough to meet their needs.

Despite these challenges, international support has remained alarmingly insufficient. In 2024, only 55% of Chad’s humanitarian funding request was met, and the regional refugee response plan for Sudan was just 30% funded. With millions of people in need, humanitarian groups are calling for a robust and sustained international response to ensure that refugees and returnees receive the assistance they desperately require.

Amadou Bocoum, Country Director of CARE in Chad, underscored the importance of global solidarity. “The world’s largest humanitarian crisis doesn’t stop at Sudan’s borders. Despite acute challenges of its own, Chad has welcomed refugees and guaranteed their right to asylum, which is remarkable. The international community must match such a level of compassion and solidarity by urgently ramping up its efforts to properly and adequately assist those who have survived.”

The situation in Sudan remains one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in the world today. Yet, as refugees continue to flood into Chad, the international response has fallen short, leaving thousands without food, medical care, or education. Without urgent action, the suffering will only deepen, and the chance to rebuild shattered lives will slip further out of reach.