IRC warns of escalating humanitarian needs in eastern Chad following massive influx of Sudanese refugees

More than 49,000 Sudanese refugees arrived in Chad in October 2024 alone.
Since the crisis began in April 2023, 680,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad.
88% of the refugees are women and children, who arrive severely traumatized and with very little provisions.
The humanitarian response plan for Eastern Chad is only 27% funded.

Birak, Chad, October 28, 2024 – The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is sounding the alarm about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the east of the country. Chad. More than Since the beginning of October, 49,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in the Wadi Fira region. 2024, including 19,500 in just the last few days.

As fighting intensifies in El Fasher and along the Sudan-Chad border, refugees are fleeing in droves. These new arrivals add That680,000 refugees have already fled from Sudan to Chad since the crisis began in April 2023. Among them: 88% – women and childrenhighlighting their increased vulnerability.

Thousands of people, some injured or injured, are arriving at the Birak, Kulbus and Tineh border points in the Wadi Fira region. Authorities continue to register new arrivals, many of whom are still waiting for family members trapped by ongoing fighting but heading to Chad.

Mohamed Ag Tibi, IRC Senior Regional Coordinator for eastern Chad, said:

“The humanitarian situation is alarming. Refugees arrive in extremely difficult conditions, both physically and mentally. They are destitute and live in dire conditions, requiring immediate attention to their primary health care, mental health, shelter, hygiene and food security needs. Donors and the international community must not divert their attention from this neglected crisis. Every day is important to save lives and restore dignity to these people.”

The IRC opened a clinic in Birak that provides primary health care, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health services, and mental health support. In parallel, the IRC mobile team, supported by an ambulance, assists refugees as they move to reception centers.

Despite these efforts, the emergency response in eastern Chad remains severely underfunded: only 27% of required resources mobilized. Without additional financial support, response capacity will remain limited in meeting growing humanitarian needs.

The IRC reaffirms its commitment to providing life-saving assistance to Sudanese refugees and calls for urgent international action to respond to this crisis.