Doctors Without Borders has called for an urgent increase in humanitarian aid for Sudanese refugees fleeing to Chad, expressing deep concern over the tragic conditions faced by more than 40,000 refugees -mostly women and children- who have recently arrived in the city of Tiné in eastern Chad. They are escaping escalating brutal violence in North Darfur, particularly in the city of El Fasher and around the Zamzam displaced persons camp.
In a statement reviewed by Al-Hamish’s Voice, the organization said that the refugees currently face extremely difficult conditions in the Tiné transit camp and other nearby camps, amid severe overcrowding and a critical lack of food, water, shelter, and healthcare services.
Doctors Without Borders teams have documented a worrying rise in malnutrition rates, with 29% of children under five suffering from malnutrition, including 9% in severe condition, alongside confirmed cases of measles.
The organization affirmed that it has intensified its medical and humanitarian interventions in the Tiné camp, with its teams conducting over 900 consultations weekly and providing care for pregnant women and survivors of sexual violence. They also refer critical cases to hospitals, have expanded sanitation services by constructing 50 additional latrines, and 60,000 liters of water are distributed daily covering only half of the urgent demand.
The organization shares harrowing testimonies of the refugees suffering. One woman described their ordeal: “We walked for days through several villages to reach Tiné, fleeing relentless bombardment. We’ve been here for days, struggling to find food and water, wearing the same clothes we arrived in “.
The organization warned that refugees arriving from the Zamzam camp had previously suffered from a severe famine caused by the blockade imposed by the RSF, which further weakened their overall condition and health. Amid temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and a lack of shelter, thousands are forced to sleep on the open ground, exposing them to heightened health risks.
In this regard, Claire San Filippo, Emergency Coordinator in Sudan, said: “The refugees are arriving exhausted, suffering from malnutrition, and in urgent need of immediate assistance.”
We call on humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, and donors to scale up their efforts and provide food, healthcare, shelter, and mental health services. The current response is insufficient, and with the rainy season approaching, we expect a further deterioration in the health and environmental conditions.
The organization added that the humanitarian crisis is worsening in Wadi Fira due to limited aid, despite notable efforts by local communities. Doctors Without Borders is supporting the Iridimi Health Center, which receives refugees from the Tiné camp, while also operating mobile clinics along the Sudanese border in areas such as Kalbous and Birak.
Since last April alone, over 70,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into Chad, adding to the more than one million refugees the country currently hosts. Among them are over 800,000 Sudanese who have fled the conflict that erupted two years ago.
