The Sudan civil war has caused a surge in refugees into Chad, straining resources in Touloum camp, where malnutrition cases are rising. Limited aid exacerbates the crisis, with healthcare overwhelmed and an urgent call for international support intensifying as rainy season approaches, raising disease risks.
In Iriba, Chad, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has forced many families to seek refuge, creating a dire situation in the Touloum camp. Nadjala Mourraou, clutching her malnourished son Ahma, was among the first in a long line for medical help. Refugees like them, fleeing from South Darfur, are struggling with an acute lack of food, relying on minimal daily rations, largely consisting of assida, a basic porridge made from sorghum.
The conflict in Sudan has now uprooted 13 million people, with more than three million crossing borders. Chad, already one of the poorest nations, has absorbed over 770,000 refugees, and that number may rise dramatically. The pressure on resources at the Touloum camp is incredible, and the situation is alarming with reports highlighting increased malnutrition among the refugee population.
Healthcare workers from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) report troubling statistics; half of the consultations daily involve malnutrition cases. Dessamba Adam Ngarhoudal, a nurse, shared that nearly one in three patients between 100 and 150 seen each day suffers from this issue, illustrating the severity of the situation. The Iriba district hospital, however, is overwhelmed and has seen its first infant deaths from malnutrition.
The conflict shows no sign of abating. Neither the Sudanese army’s Abdel Fattah al-Burhan nor his opponent Mohamed Hamdan Daglo attended a crucial peace meeting in London, leaving Chad concerned about an influx that could potentially swell refugee numbers to nearly one million. This raises significant humanitarian concerns, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as Chad may not cope with such a burden alone.
Financial aid for humanitarian efforts is critically lacking. By the end of February, the UN refugee agency had received just 14% of the $409 million in aid funding it requested for the Sahel region. Djimbaye Kam-Ndoh, Wadi Fira’s governor, remarked on the generous nature of Chadians who traditionally welcome their Sudanese neighbors but noted that the population had practically doubled, pressing for urgent assistance.
Concerns are amplified by potential cuts to U.S. foreign aid under President Trump and reductions from European donors. This matters deeply as nearly 25 million people in Sudan face acute food insecurity, with disease outbreaks on the horizon. MSF’s Samuel Sileshi warns of a looming public health crisis as the region prepares for the rainy season. Amidst a current measles epidemic, there is a strong fear that these conditions could lead to severe, widespread consequences, especially for vulnerable children.
As the civil conflict in Sudan persists, the situation for refugees in Chad worsens. The overcrowded Touloum camp faces rising cases of malnutrition, with limited rations and overwhelmed healthcare facilities. Furthermore, financial aid remains insufficient, and without support, Chad’s capacity to care for an expected increase in refugees will be severely tested. Disease threats loom, amplifying the need for immediate international attention.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
