Germany has pledged support for a new initiative aimed at improving the integration of Sudanese refugees in Chad, the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze announced during her visit to the Adré border crossing in eastern Chad. This region, near the Sudanese border, has become a major refuge for those fleeing the ongoing violence in Sudan, which has displaced millions.

As part of the project, the Chadian government plans to allocate 100,000 hectares of land over the next five years. Half of this land will be designated for refugee families, with the other half for struggling host communities. Each family will receive one hectare – the World Food Program (WFP) is set to assist in making the land arable for farming and grazing. The initiative hopes to provide a sustainable future for both refugees and local populations by enabling them to become self-sufficient through agriculture. Germany plans to provide financial support to ensure the success of the project.

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"The situation of the people in Sudan is receiving far too little attention," Schulze announced in a statement. "This is currently the largest displacement crisis in the world. More than 90 percent of the refugees who make it to Chad are women and children. The men are often killed or forcibly recruited. Many women suffer extremely from the consequences of the violence they experienced while fleeing. They come to a country that is struggling itself with insecurity, droughts, floods and hunger. Nevertheless, Chad is not building fences, but is showing solidarity with the refugees," she added.

"In the future, Germany will be supporting Chad more intensively in its efforts to create new livelihoods for refugees so that people can stay and build a new life for themselves. This is very important so that people are not permanently dependent on emergency aid, can find a new home and can also contribute to the development of the region in the long term."

'Most refugees will not be able to return to Sudan'

Germany’s support for Chad’s refugee integration project is part of the broader international effort to address the growing humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict in Sudan.

During her visit, Schulze reaffirmed Germany’s long-term commitment to supporting Sudanese refugees in Chad. 

"This initiative allows refugees and host communities to sustain themselves by turning the land into fertile fields and pastures, giving them the means to provide for their families… Providing them with land is crucial for their future," she said.

Schulze began her four-day visit of the Sahel country of Chad on November 18. She visited the capital, N'Djamena, and became the first EU minister to visit the Adré border crossing.

Chad is emerging as an increasingly important partner for Germany in the Sahel region, despite challenges related to human rights and democracy, the BMZ said in its statement. Unlike the central Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, which are leaning more toward Russia, Chad continues to maintain strong ties with Western nations, the German Development Ministry added.

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Escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan

Currently, approximately 250,000 refugees live in makeshift conditions in Adré, according to Janine Lietmeyer, director of World Vision Germany. Many are sheltering under tarpaulins stretched over tree branches or wooden poles. The new land allocation program aims to improve living conditions while helping refugees and host communities build resilience amid the ongoing crisis.

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has displaced more than 14 million people, according to the United Nations. Over 3 million have fled the country, while 11 million are displaced within Sudan. The violence has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, and around 25 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

Both sides of the conflict are accused of war crimes, including preventing the delivery of essential aid. UNICEF has highlighted the devastating impact on children, with reports of widespread malnutrition, sexual violence, and other atrocities.

"The extent of the horror for children is unimaginable," said Christian Schneider, managing director of UNICEF Germany. "No other country in the world has seen so many children lose their homes. Severely malnourished children are fighting for their survival, and there are disturbing reports of minors being mutilated or killed."

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