Refugee camps in eastern Chad are facing a severe funding shortage, putting over a million people, including refugees, at risk of losing vital aid. The crisis stems from the overflow of a deadly conflict in neighboring Sudan, where more than 5,000 people have lost their lives and over 5 million have been displaced.
Chad is currently experiencing a 20-year high in refugee numbers, with the United Nations warning that the situation could escalate into the world's worst hunger crisis. A third of Sudan's population is already grappling with acute food insecurity.
In the overcrowded camps, lack of clean water and sanitation has led to the spread of dangerous diseases. Doctors Without Borders reported nearly 1,000 cases of hepatitis E and multiple fatalities among pregnant women due to inadequate conditions.
Aid workers are struggling to meet the basic needs of refugees at camps like Metche, where shortages of water, food, shelter, and sanitation are dire. The situation is exacerbated by limited resources and overstretched humanitarian efforts.
Without immediate action to improve sanitation infrastructure and ensure access to clean water, preventable illnesses may surge, leading to unnecessary loss of life. The World Food Program has called for urgent funding to avert a full-blown catastrophe.
The crisis in Chad has the potential to escalate political tensions within the country, with fears that the humanitarian situation could spark unrest. The recent killing of opposition leader Yaya Dillo has added to the already fragile political landscape, with concerns over the upcoming presidential election in May.
Chad's interim president, Mahamat Deby Itno, took office following his father's death in 2021 and faces challenges in managing the country's transition. The extension of the transition period has sparked protests, further complicating the already precarious situation.
