Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 2nd March. UN refugee agency on Friday raised concern that more refugees crossing into Chad from Darfur in the coming weeks due to lack of food and other essentials.
UNHCR noted the civil war between rival militaries in Sudan, neighbouring Chad needs more humanitarian aid and significant development investment in its eastern areas which are hosting the refugee influx.
This investment will allow the country to continue its generous open-door stance towards refugees, it said.
Kelly Clements, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner is in the country to review the relief operation stated “Chadian officials are concerned that many more hungry Sudanese families will come in the next weeks.”
“The country is committed to keeping its borders open, despite the fragility of this region. But doing so will put even more strain on Chad has been hosting refugees from Sudan’s war a year and other refugees still here from earlier emergencies.”
WFP suspended rations to some refugee groups in the country due to lack of funds and the Government declared a state of emergency for food and nutrition security.
Food distributions from Chad across the border to Darfur, where the security and protection situation is alarming, have not been made for well over a month, with cross-border aid recently suspended, it reported.
Women and children represent some 90 per cent of all refugees. Some 77 per cent of women arrived in Chad, with children.
UNHCR said many have been exposed to gender-based violence including rape and require comprehensive support. UNHCR provides medical and some psychological support, but much more is needed.
“Arrivals have slowed in the last months, but that could change quickly,” Ms. Clements added.
“Even without more coming, needs now run well beyond the capacities of humanitarian agencies. There are very real fears that the border region faces another paltry lean season before heavy rains lash the camps.”
Over 553,150 new refugees from Sudan had been counted by mid-February the largest host of refugees fleeing Sudan since the brutal war between Government troops and RSF militia erupted in mid-April 2023.
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