By Matik Kueth
The head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, appeals for urgent humanitarian assistance to address the mounting crisis in Chad, which is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
On Friday, Grandi visited a refugee camp in Chad and engaged with displaced people whose lives have been irrevocably changed by violence and instability in their native country.
He stressed the grim situation of refugees, many of whom have fled to neighboring countries including South Sudan and Egypt in search of safety and sustenance.
The ongoing humanitarian operations in Sudan and its neighboring countries are crucial and require an urgent influx of support to meet the rapidly escalating needs.
Grandi noted that as the level of humanitarian aid has recently diminished, the demands for support are growing exponentially.
“No one should be left behind in this crisis,” he cautioned, drawing attention to the grim reality that without a concerted effort to reverse this trend, the consequences could be fatal.
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, ignited by a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
As clashes enveloped Khartoum and spread across the nation, the humanitarian fallout has been catastrophic.
Although official sources estimate that at least 20,000 people have perished since the onset of hostilities, many experts believe the true figure is likely to be much higher.
The relentless fighting has displaced over 14 million people, plunging many into life-threatening conditions, including starvation.
Chad, as one of the countries absorbing the influx of Sudanese refugees, faces immense pressure on its resources and services.