In Eastern Chad, the humanitarian situation for Sudanese refugees continues to deteriorate. According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 700,000 individuals have crossed the border in 10 months amidst the war in Sudan, fleeing the violence perpetrated by warring factions, particularly in Darfur, where ethnic minorities are targeted. Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), visited refugees in the Adré camps in Chad to assess the situation.
During a week-long visit to Chad, including three days spent in the Adré camps, Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, was confronted with the harsh reality faced by Sudanese refugees. These individuals have crossed the border to escape violence in Sudan, including acts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the warring factions, particularly in Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General “Hemedti” specifically target ethnic minorities.
“Every individual there has horrific stories of violence and abuse to share, from ethnic cleansing in Darfur because they belong to the Massalit tribe and armed militias seek to eliminate them,” he recounts.
In light of this reality, Jan Egeland calls for increased Western solidarity, stating, “This is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, and we need a level of interest akin to that seen for Ukraine or the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the Middle East.”
In the face of immense suffering and displacement, Egeland’s plea underscores the urgent need for global attention and concerted efforts to alleviate the plight of Sudanese refugees in Chad.