Update from Chad

Published 16. Feb 2024
Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, is this week in Adré in eastern Chad. This country, which is one of the world's poorest, is now affected by the world's largest war-related displacement crisis.

A total of 10.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan, but almost no one has found safety.

Nearly 700,000 people have fled to eastern Chad. This has led to an extreme strain on one of the world's poorest countries, which itself experiences high levels of hunger.

“This is the most underfunded emergency I've ever seen in my time. This is on par with Ukraine and the Middle East but it doesn't get the attention and resources it deserves," says Egeland. 

The survivors in Chad have escaped atrocities and are being forgotten by the world community while they face a daily struggle to survive. Humanitarian aid is too little to meet the ever-growing needs.  

Despite a long history of people escaping violence in Darfur by crossing into Chad, both the scale and rate of the current displacement is unprecedented. Refugees outnumber locals in Adré by more than two to one.

Nevertheless, thanks to our supporters, we have set up schools and are providing emergency homes in refugee camps. Since last week, 21 classrooms are now running in Metche camp allowing 600 children to learn again safely. We are training legal staff to help people find answers that help them get services and feel safe.  In Alacha, we have built 170 emergency shelters for families without a home.

Many thanks to everyone who supports our work. The emergency response in eastern Chad is only possible because of people like you. Together we provide vital help.