In the eastern region of Chad, a worrying humanitarian situation persists for Sudanese refugees who have fled the violence ravaging their country. The International Organization for Migration estimates that nearly 700,000 people have crossed the border in just 10 months to escape atrocities in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, where minorities are targets of ethnic violence. .
During his recent visit to the Adré camps in Chad, Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), was confronted with the overwhelming reality of these Sudanese refugees. Testifying to their harrowing stories, he highlighted the horrors they had to endure, ranging from acts of ethnic cleansing in Darfur to abuse and violence perpetrated against civilian populations.
Each individual met during this visit had a heartbreaking story to share. Women who have been victims of gang rape, families grieving the loss of loved ones, lives shattered by violence and terror. Jan Egeland underlined the urgency of a more united international response to this major humanitarian crisis, comparable to those observed in other regions in conflict, such as Ukraine or the Middle East.
His call for international mobilization resonates as a cry of alarm in the face of the extent of the suffering endured by these Sudanese refugees, emphasizing the urgent need to act to help them and offer them safe refuge.
This field visit highlighted the plight and vulnerability of Sudanese refugees in Chad, calling for collective awareness and concrete actions to respond to their most urgent humanitarian needs. Jan Egeland’s testimony once again illustrates the cruelty of armed conflicts and the imperative need for international solidarity to protect and support the most vulnerable populations in the world.