Is Chad able to cope with influx of refugees from Sudan? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan engaged in a two-and-a-half-year conflict with the Sudanese army.
• El Fasher: A key city in North Darfur, the capital of North Kordofan, and a strategic point connecting Darfur and Khartoum.
• Darfur Region: A region in western Sudan that has experienced conflict for 20 years.
• Chad: A neighboring country to Sudan that has received a significant number of Sudanese refugees.
• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency): An organization working to provide aid and support to refugees.
• Humanitarian Ceasefire: An agreement to stop fighting to allow for the delivery of aid.
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): Violence directed against a person because of their gender or sex, often experienced by women and girls in conflict zones.
• Refugee Camps: Settlements established to house displaced people fleeing conflict.
• Famine and Cholera Outbreaks: Severe health and food security crises that can arise in refugee camps due to overcrowding and lack of resources.
• Self-Reliance and Self-Resilience: The ability of refugees and host communities to support themselves and recover from crises.
• Regional Destabilization: The potential for a conflict to spread and destabilize neighboring countries.

Intensified Fighting in Kordofan and Darfur

The conflict in Sudan has escalated, particularly in the oil-rich Kordofan region. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are reportedly focusing on capturing El Fasher, the capital of North Kordofan. This city holds strategic importance as it links the western Darfur region with Sudan's capital, Khartoum. The RSF has been in conflict with the Sudanese army for two and a half years.

Atrocities and Refugee Flows

Two weeks prior to the transcript, the RSF allegedly committed widespread atrocities, including mass executions and rapes, after taking control of El Fasher in Darfur. This has led to a significant displacement of people. The United Nations reports that over 70,000 people have fled to neighboring Chad since these events. Chad has already hosted over a million Sudanese refugees, with more expected as the violence persists. The existing refugee camps are overcrowded and face the imminent risks of famine and cholera outbreaks.

On-the-Ground Observations from the Sudan-Chad Border

Kelly Clemens, Deputy High Commissioner of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), recently returned from the Sudan-Chad border. She described the situation as "the calm before the storm." She met with refugees who had fled El Fasher, many of whom were reliving their trauma. An estimated 90,000 people have left El Fasher in recent days, with many heading to Tila, a town now overwhelmed with displaced individuals seeking basic necessities. Refugees are arriving with nothing, deeply traumatized, and with injuries. Humanitarian needs, especially for food in Chad, are critical. While the influx of refugees into Chad has been "relatively modest" so far, UNHCR is working to increase supplies and materials to support the generous Chadian communities, who themselves have limited resources.

Horrific Accounts from El Fasher

Access to El Fasher has been extremely limited for over a year, making it difficult to provide accurate descriptions of the situation. Humanitarian aid has been scarce. However, accounts from refugees arriving in Tila and crossing into Chad are described as "horrific." A significant majority of refugees arriving in Chad are women and children (approximately 87%). Reports indicate that up to 70% of women and girls have been assaulted or subjected to sexual violence. The severe underfunding of aid organizations has hampered their ability to provide essential medical, psychosocial, and other support to new arrivals, as well as to those inside Darfur.

Chad's Capacity and International Support

Chad has been remarkably hospitable, hosting approximately one million Sudanese refugees in addition to a total of 1.5 million refugees from various neighboring countries due to decades of conflict. Despite their generosity, the Chadian government, as communicated to UNHCR officials, is struggling to meet the needs of its own population, including basic infrastructure, water, and healthcare. Sudanese refugees are eager to become self-reliant, and UNHCR is working to support both the Chadian communities and the refugees in achieving self-reliance. However, Chad requires significantly more support from the international community.

Prospects for Peace and Ceasefire

Despite the RSF agreeing to a US-led humanitarian ceasefire proposal, fighting continues. The Sudanese people are desperately in need of peace after two and a half years of brutal conflict that has claimed many lives, destroyed livelihoods, and will leave deep scars. UNHCR hopes for a truce and ceasefire to enable access to as many people as possible for life-saving aid. The situation in western Sudan remains tense, and aid actors require both resources and access to operate effectively.

Concerns about Regional Destabilization and UAE's Role

There are concerns about the potential for the conflict to spill over and destabilize the greater region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is investing billions in Chad, while the Sudanese government accuses the UAE of backing the RSF and fueling the conflict. UNHCR consistently worries about conflict spillover, as people will move to find safety and aid if they do not feel secure in their own communities. This is currently happening in Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda. The risk of further destabilization, the spread of conflict, and the involvement of other countries in civil war is a constant concern.

Conclusion

The situation in Sudan, particularly in Kordofan and Darfur, is dire, marked by intensified fighting, widespread atrocities, and a massive displacement of people. Chad is bearing a significant burden as a host country for Sudanese refugees, facing immense humanitarian challenges. Underfunding and lack of access are critical obstacles for aid organizations like UNHCR. The conflict's potential for regional destabilization, exacerbated by geopolitical factors, remains a grave concern. The urgent need for a ceasefire and increased international support is paramount to alleviate suffering and prevent further escalation.