On June 2, 2025, (N'Djamena, Chad), tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees escaping intensifying conflict in North Darfur started pouring into eastern Chad beginning in April. This influx has strained humanitarian assistance resources significantly, leading to severe deficits in essential supplies such as food, clean water, and adequate housing, according to MSF (Doctors Without Borders).

An estimated 70,000 new refugees have crossed into Chad since April 2025, bringing the total number of Sudanese seeking refuge in the country to more than 800,000 since conflict began over two years ago. Chad already hosts over one million refugees in total.

Most of the newcomers are women and children arriving from El Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, an area under blockade by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in severe food shortages. A significant number of these individuals suffer from dehydration, malnourishment, and deep emotional trauma upon arrival.

We have traveled a great distance to reach this place," remarked a female refugee who wished to remain anonymous. "To escape the conflict and airstrikes, we traversed multiple villages before arriving at Tine as a safe haven. Although we've been here for several days, securing adequate food and water has proven challenging. Additionally, we have been wearing the same clothing throughout our journey.

The Chadian town of Tine alone has received an estimated 40,000 Sudanese refugees. Tine transit camp is currently hosting over 18,000 people, many sleeping on the bare ground in 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) heat, with severely limited access to water and food despite support from local communities.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expanded its medical and humanitarian efforts in both the transit camp and at the Tine border, offering essential healthcare services such as primary care, nutrition assessments, and immunizations. Over the past several weeks, the clinic within the transit camp has handled more than 900 patient visits each week. According to available data, the incidence of acute malnutrition stands at 29 percent for young children below the age of five, with severe cases accounting for 9 percent of this group.

The medical aid organization is additionally offering support to expectant mothers and those who have suffered from sexual assault, and they've established a system to refer severe cases to nearby hospitals. Given the occurrence of measles cases, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is implementing an extensive immunization drive.

MSF aims to enhance sanitation by constructing an extra 50 emergency toilets and supplying more therapeutic meals along with vital supplies. Additionally, they are providing 60,000 liters of water daily; however, this covers just half of the present requirement.

Sudanese refugees reach extremely fatigued, with numerous cases of undernutrition demanding urgent aid," stated Claire San Filippo, who serves as Médecins Sans Frontières' emergency coordinator for Sudan. "We urge contributors, the United Nations, along with additional relief agencies to enhance their efforts in delivering or boosting provisions such as sustenance, housing, hygiene facilities, healthcare, and psychological counseling.

San Filippo cautioned that the present humanitarian aid is inadequate, and the impending rainy season could deteriorate living conditions, facilitate the spread of diseases, and intensify food shortages as well as hygiene problems.

Even though there are significant requirements at the Tine transit camp and other refugee camps in Wadi Fira, MSF reported observing minimal assistance being provided. This underscores a larger crisis in humanitarian funding impacting the whole industry across eastern Chad.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates within refugee camps like Iridimi in Wadi Fira, hosting individuals who have been resettled from Tine. In response to the critical circumstances at Iridimi—where the facility is operating beyond its limits—MSF has started aiding the local health center with an emphasis on basic medical care, immunizations, disease monitoring, efficient patient management, transfer protocols for severe cases, and improving sanitary standards. Additionally, MSF conducts mobile clinics near the Chadian-Sudanese border areas such as Kulbus and Birak.

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