In neighboring Chad, children represent 61% of the 860,000 Sudanese refugees and 68% of 274,000 Chadiens returnees – or more than 700,000 young lives uprooted by violence.
Chad, already one of the poorest countries in the world, has the fourth highest infant mortality rate in the world, despite significant progress in recent years.
The government of Chad and humanitarian partners have supported, but the migration crisis remains overwhelming: measles and malnutrition spread, the risk that the Sudan cholera epidemic spreads into Chad remains high.
Only one in three children is enrolled in school and essential services are extended at the edge.
Horrible memories
UN children’s funds (Unicef) General director Catherine Russell concluded a three -day visit to Chad on Monday, where she met children and refugee families moved by fighting and chaos on the other side of the Sudanese border.
“” Hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable children bring the weight of war in Sudan and the lack of essential services For those who fled to Chad, “said Russell.
In eastern Chad, Ms. Russell “met women and children who have arrived with little but the horrible memories they carry” and heard their stories of murders, mass rapes and houses burned on the ground.
She visited the families newly arrived in Adré, an outdated border city which now welcomes six refugees for each resident.
Russell also met President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to reaffirm UNICEF’s long -term commitment to Chad and discuss the support of the new 2030 country development plan.
“” The inhabitants of Chad have shown an extraordinary generosity“She said.” But they can’t face this crisis alone. We must be in solidarity with them – and with the children of Sudan – by strengthening national systems and communities on the front line. “”
Climbing
In Adré and the surroundings, the teams supported by UNICEF have vaccinated thousands of children, provide drinking water to tens of thousands, spaces established for children and the creation of services for survivors of sexist violence.
The agency also works in close collaboration with the Chadais authorities to increase investment at the health system in health, including polio vaccination campaigns, as well as social education and protection.
But urgent financing gaps remain. Of the $ 114 million necessary for UNICEF’s humanitarian response in 2025 in Chad, Only 34% were obtained.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
