In a press release issued June 25, UNHCR requested urgent international support for the humanitarian crisis in eastern Chad which has reached a critical moment.

The UN Agency underscores the need for immediate intervention to face the growing number of Sudanese refugees in the border areas, the increased health worries, the escalation of security incidents, and ahead of the imminent rainy season.

Sixfold population increase in Adré, diseases and rampant looting

"The conflict in Sudan has forced over 600,000 refugees and 180,000 Chadian returnees, the vast majority of them women and children, to flee into Chad, with more than 115,000 arriving since the start of 2024," UNHCR said.

In May, an average of 630 people crossed the border daily. The city of Adré, originally home to 40,000, now struggles with a population six times larger, leading to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, according to the UN. This has caused a severe health crisis, with over 1,200 cases of hepatitis E and three deaths recorded.

The upcoming rainy season (June to September) threatens to worsen the crisis. Security is also a growing concern, with reports of increased looting, vandalism of humanitarian facilities, and drug and alcohol trafficking.

A refugee girl was recently killed by a stray bullet, and fires started by disgruntled locals destroyed 235 family shelters, forcing 1,500 families to return to Adré, according to UNHCR. The emergency in Chad is exacerbated by escalating fighting in Sudan's Darfur region, rampant looting, village fires, and a looming famine in Sudan, potentially pushing more refugees toward Chad.

Also read: Sudanese refugee families in Chad need more support, UNICEF

Only 10% of the 214.8 million funds requested were received

In this context, the government of Chad has urgently called on UNHCR and its partners to expedite the transfer of the newly arrived persons far away from the border areas, in particular from Adré. The UN Agency responded by opening a new site to shelter up to 50,000 persons, but more support is needed.

The UNHCR appeal for 2024 for a response in eastern Chad is under-financed, with only 10% of the requested 214.8 million dollars received to date.

To cover the immediate needs, UNHCR urgently needs 80 million dollars to build another three shelter sites with services and basic infrastructures to transfer 150,000 expected new arrivals, to relocate them far away from the overcrowded and unhealthy conditions, and to offer them life-saving support, the agency said.

Also read: War in Sudan: Ache's story – returning home to Chad