Cross-border crisis: Thousands of refugees flee for neighbouring Chad

Key Concepts

• Sudan Displacement Crisis: Escalating humanitarian situation in Sudan, leading to mass displacement.
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): Paramilitary group that took over El Fasher, North Darfur.
• El Fasher and surrounding areas: Region in North Darfur heavily impacted by the conflict.
• Tin (Chad/Sudan border): A town divided by a river, serving as a key entry point for refugees into Chad.
• Food Insecurity: Chad's pre-existing condition of insufficient food supply.
• Inflation: Rising prices of goods, exacerbated by the refugee influx.
• Humanitarian Aid: Assistance provided by organizations like the UNHCR to refugees and host communities.
• Overcrowding and Underfunding: Challenges faced by refugee camps and aid efforts.
• Friction between communities: Potential for conflict between refugees and host populations due to resource scarcity.

Escalating Displacement Crisis in Sudan and its Impact on Chad

The world's worst displacement crisis is currently escalating in Sudan, with dire consequences for the affected population. The United Nations reports that over 100,000 people have fled El Fasher and its surrounding areas in North Darfur since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control last month. A significant number, estimated at 150,000 civilians from El Fasher, are unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about their safety due to footage of massacres and mass graves. Additionally, 40,000 people have fled from Khartoum, where fighting continues.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, approximately 12 million people have been displaced from their homes, and tens of thousands have lost their lives. A substantial portion of these displaced individuals, around 1.2 million, have sought refuge in neighboring Chad, often arriving in overcrowded and underfunded camps.

Situation at the Chad-Sudan Border (Tin)

Ahmed Idris of Al Jazeera reports from Tin, a town situated on the border between Chad and Sudan. He describes the ongoing arrival of refugees, with over 3,000 having crossed through the specific road he is standing on since the fall of El Fasher. He witnessed a family of ten arriving by truck, highlighting the continuous, though not massive, flow of people.

Tin is a town bisected by a river, with one side in Chad and the other in Sudan. The area was peaceful until three days after the fall of El Fasher, when a drone bombardment on the Sudanese side of Tin resulted in approximately 27 deaths and over 40 injuries, with the wounded being transferred to a hospital in Tina, Chad. This incident, coupled with the fighting in El Fasher and other affected towns, has led to an increasing number of people crossing into eastern Chad for safety.

In the initial stages of this latest refugee movement, an estimated 80 to 100 families were arriving daily across five entry points in eastern Chad. These new arrivals join over a million other Sudanese refugees who have been in Chad for years, with the most recent significant influx occurring in 2023 when fighting broke out in West Darfur, leading to over 800 people entering eastern Chad.

Impact on Chad: A Host Country Facing Severe Strain

The impact of the Sudanese refugee influx on Chad is described as "massive." Chad is already a food-insecure country, suffering from food shortages attributed to poor agricultural practices, adverse weather changes, and climate change, as well as the effects of fighting and violence on agricultural production and businesses.

The arriving refugees are entering a country whose citizens also rely heavily on external aid for survival. Refugees typically arrive with very little, often "basically the shirts on their backs," as stated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Due to underfunding and funding shortages, they face an even more difficult situation upon arrival. Humanitarian workers anticipate a larger wave of refugees, with tens of thousands waiting to enter eastern Chad, believing it offers safety and access to food and shelter.

Economic and Social Pressures in Eastern Chad

The economic strain is evident in the markets of eastern Chad. Abuakar Muhammad's experience of his money not being enough to purchase the same quantity of groceries as a few days prior illustrates the pervasive inflation. Traders explain that the high cost of food is a direct consequence of the arrival of over 10,000 Sudanese refugees following the disintegration of their country. While goods are available, affordability is a major issue.

This influx exacerbates the pre-existing challenges, as even before the arrival of these new refugees, over 2 million Chadians depended on food aid. The continuous arrival of refugees intensifies competition for essential resources such as food, shelter, and water.

Overstretched Infrastructure and Humanitarian Concerns

Humanitarian aid workers express concern that this intensified competition could lead to friction between the refugee and host communities. The pressure extends beyond markets to critical infrastructure:

• Water Collection and Distribution: Long queues have become a common sight at water points.
• Hospital Facilities: These are overstretched, struggling to cope with the increased demand.
• Schools: Educational facilities are also under immense pressure. According to the report, 57% of school-aged children lack access to education due to a lack of funding for temporary learning spaces and the inability to recruit teachers. Even existing teachers among the refugee population cannot be supported with basic supplies like school kits for children.

Relocation Efforts and Future Concerns

To alleviate some of the pressure, the United Nations has begun relocating 3,000 new refugees who arrived through the Tin border crossing. While the daily arrival rate has slowed to approximately 200 families, humanitarian workers warn of a potentially larger wave on the horizon. This prospect leaves border communities concerned about their capacity to cope with the ongoing crisis.

Conclusion

The situation in Sudan has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with mass displacement and a growing number of refugees seeking safety in Chad. This influx is placing an immense strain on Chad's already fragile resources, exacerbating food insecurity, driving inflation, and overwhelming essential services like healthcare and education. The international community's response, particularly in terms of funding and aid, is critical to mitigating the suffering of both refugees and host communities and preventing further deterioration of the situation.