The civil war in Sudan has led to a surge of refugees in Chad, particularly in the overcrowded Touloum camp, where many are facing malnutrition. Despite Chad’s hospitality, the strain on resources is overwhelming, causing a critical humanitarian crisis. Medical professionals are bracing for potential outbreaks of disease as the rainy season approaches. The situation demands urgent international aid and intervention.
IRIBA, Chad, April 25, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – As the Sudanese civil war continues to fuel a refugee crisis, Nadjala Mourraou, a mother recently arrived in Chad, is one of many facing dire circumstances. Holding her two-year-old son, Ahma, she watched as medics confirmed his severe malnutrition. More than a year ago, they fled the violence in Nyala, South Darfur, and according to Mourraou, their daily sustenance has dwindled to a single bowl of assida, a sorghum-based porridge. “We’re suffering from a lack of food,” she lamented, highlighting the deteriorating conditions in the overcrowded Touloum camp.
The conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, has also displaced 13 million people, with over three million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Chad, already grappling with poverty, has welcomed upwards of 770,000 refugees, and the influx shows few signs of abating. Local sources estimate the Touloum camp, which is filled with makeshift shelters, currently houses 25,000 to 30,000 Sudanese refugees.
Nurse Dessamba Adam Ngarhoudal from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported increasing cases of malnutrition among the camp’s residents. “Of 100 to 150 daily consultations, nearly half are malnutrition cases,” he stated, illustrating the overwhelming need for medical assistance that exceeds local capacity. For the gravely ill, transfer to the district hospital is a necessity, but challenges remain. The hospital recently recorded its first infant death due to malnutrition, a grim milestone that underscores the crisis’s severity.
The ongoing conflict shows no signs of resolution, as Sudan’s army chief and his rival did not attend a recent peace summit in London. Chad’s government predicts that the number of Sudanese refugees could reach up to one million, placing an unbearable strain on the nation’s resources. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has indicated that Chad will require significant support to handle this humanitarian crisis. By February, the UN refugee agency had received only 14 percent of the $409 million in aid it sought for the region.
The governor of Wadi Fira province, Djimbaye Kam-Ndoh, remarked on Chad’s tradition of welcoming Sudanese refugees, yet he cautioned that the population had nearly doubled in his province. Humanitarian agencies are particularly concerned over the potential impact of cuts to foreign aid, as highlighted by Alexandre Le Cuziat, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) deputy director in Chad. More than 25 million people in Sudan are experiencing acute food insecurity.
As the rainy season looms, healthcare workers fear impending outbreaks of diseases such as malaria. “We’re preparing for an explosion of cases of malnutrition and malaria,” mentioned Samuel Sileshi from MSF. He noted that measles epidemics are also complicating the situation, particularly at a time when children are most vulnerable. The combination of these factors could lead to devastating consequences, especially among the young.
The humanitarian situation at the Touloum camp in Chad remains critical as an influx of Sudanese refugees strains already limited resources. With malnutrition prevalent and the possibility of disease outbreaks looming, healthcare professionals and humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent aid and support. The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan is responsible for massive displacement, and without a resolution, the crisis threatens to worsen, potentially endangering millions.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
