Since the eruption of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the transfer of power to civilian rule, more than three million people have been forced to flee the country in search of safety. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded as a result of this ongoing conflict.
Dominique Hyde, the UNHCR Director of External Relations, described the situation as “unimaginable suffering, brutal atrocities, and widespread human rights violations.” She emphasized that thousands of lives are being shattered by war and violence on a daily basis, away from the world’s attention. Ms. Hyde recently visited displaced communities in Chad and witnessed firsthand the impact of the conflict on the lives of refugees.
During her visit to Chad, Ms. Hyde spoke to individuals who had witnessed their families being murdered, people being targeted based on their ethnicity, and women being raped while fleeing the violence. She recounted stories of men and boys being killed and their bodies burned, as well as the haunting memories of abandoned bodies along the roads. The testimonies she heard painted a grim picture of the horrors faced by those fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
In response to the massive needs of the refugees in Chad, the UNHCR and its partners have been working to relocate hundreds of thousands of refugees to new settlements and extensions of existing settlements. Despite their efforts, tens of thousands of families are still waiting for the opportunity to start over and rebuild their lives in a safe environment.
The exodus from Sudan has placed significant pressure on neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Central African Republic to provide assistance to those in need of shelter and basic services. These countries have shown remarkable generosity in welcoming and supporting the refugees, but the scale of the crisis remains overwhelming.
Ms. Hyde highlighted the ongoing bloodshed in Sudan’s Darfur region and across the country, which has resulted in the worst civilian protection crisis in decades. She lamented the lack of attention from the international community, stating that the world is not paying enough heed to the plight of the Sudanese refugees.
In October alone, an estimated 60,000 Sudanese refugees arrived in Chad following an escalation of fighting in Darfur and the receding floodwaters. The town of Adre, which used to be home to 40,000 people, is now hosting around 230,000 Sudanese refugees, many of whom are living in harsh conditions while awaiting relocation to safer areas.
As the exodus from Sudan continues to escalate, UNHCR is working tirelessly to register new arrivals in Chad and provide them with the assistance they urgently need. The agency reported that a staggering 71 percent of the refugees had suffered human rights violations in Sudan while fleeing the conflict.
Despite the challenges and hardships faced by the Sudanese refugees, there are glimmers of hope in the form of the generosity and compassion shown by neighboring countries in providing refuge and support to those in need. However, the scale of the crisis demands greater attention and support from the international community to ensure the safety and well-being of the millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and security.
