By Riches Soberekon
Over 300,000 people have escaped the conflict in Sudan and found safety in Chad, joining the 580,000 already there.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) president, David Miliband, mentioned that Chad has been really kind in welcoming these Sudanese refugees. However, Chad itself is a low-income country facing its own crisis.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 90% of the arrivals from Sudan are women and children. Shockingly, around one-fifth of the young children who reached Chad are suffering from acute malnourishment, which can be life-threatening.
The IRC’s country director in Chad, Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, expressed concern about the large number of women and children among the new arrivals. They are particularly vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse, and may struggle to access basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare.
Unfortunately, international donors haven’t provided enough funding for the humanitarian response in Chad. Only 11% of the requested $226 million USD has been raised so far.
Mwiti Mungania, the IRC’s emergency country director in Chad, stressed the need for urgent action to bridge this funding gap and ensure that the necessary resources reach those in desperate need.
