Sudanese Refugee Arrivals in Eastern Chad Surge as UN Appeals for Funds

More than 55,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to neighbouring Chad this year, as a sharp increase in arrivals puts growing pressure on humanitarian operations in the country’s east.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said the number of Sudanese people crossing into eastern Chad had “accelerated sharply” over the past week. About 400 people are now arriving each day through the border areas of Adre and Tine, roughly 20 times the daily rate recorded in previous months.

Transit centre under pressure

The United Nations said the transit centre in Tine is under severe pressure and is currently hosting more than 4,300 people. UNHCR warned that the pace of new arrivals is exceeding the humanitarian support available to them.

The latest movement comes as aid agencies continue to respond to the wider displacement caused by Sudan’s conflict, which has continued since April 2023. The fighting followed a power struggle between Sudanese Armed Forces General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.

More than 11 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to figures cited by the source. That includes approximately 6.4 million people displaced within Sudan and more than 3.5 million Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers who have fled to nearby countries.

Funding gap threatens response

The United Nations has called for a significant increase in international funding, warning that conditions will worsen without additional support. The response requires $1.6 billion, but the UN says it has received only 20 percent of that amount, leaving a funding shortfall of $1.28 billion.

The funding constraints have affected basic assistance. About 31,000 families lack adequate shelter, while most refugees are receiving less than half of the minimum daily amount of water, according to figures cited by the source.

The UN has urged the international community to help close the gap as the number of people arriving from Sudan continues to rise. It warned that without further assistance, more Sudanese refugees could undertake the perilous journey to Europe.

More than 14,100 Sudanese refugees arrived in Europe last year, an increase of 245 percent compared with 2024, according to the source.