Sudan war fuels humanitarian crisis as aid for refugees in Chad hangs in the balance

More than 1.3 million Sudanese refugees and returnees have fled to eastern Chad since the civil war began three years ago. A large‑scale humanitarian operation led by UN agencies and NGOs provides essential assistance, but its sustainability is now uncertain. Officials warn that a collapse of aid could have grave consequences for the refugees, who already face severe deprivation in one of the world’s poorest regions. A 2024 nutrition survey in Chad’s Ouaddaï province recorded a 17.9 % acute malnutrition rate among children under five.

Meanwhile, civil‑society leaders in Dakar highlighted the broader Sudan conflict as a largely ignored humanitarian disaster. They cite over 150 000 deaths, nearly 15 million displaced persons and 30 million people dependent on aid. UN officials have documented war crimes by both the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces, and experts warn that external powers are prolonging the fighting. The speakers called for renewed political negotiations and greater international attention.

The combined reports underscore the scale of the crisis, the risk of aid failure in Chad, and the need for a coordinated political solution to the Sudan war.