Crisis escalates on Chad-Sudan border, thousands flee violence
July 11, 2023 (ADRE) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said it is rapidly expanding its operations on Chadian border with neighbouring Sudan to address the escalating crisis as a surge of people fleeing Sudan to seek refuge.
Each day, according to the UN agency, thousands of individuals, including women and children, are crossing into the small town of Adré in Chad, bearing witness to the violence they have escaped and arriving with alarming injuries.
“People are running across the border, wounded, scared, with only their children in their hands and the clothes on their backs. They need safety, security, and urgent humanitarian assistance. WFP has mobilized all available resources to support these new arrivals at the border”, said WFP’s Country Director, Pierre Honnorat.
In the past week alone, the number of people escaping Sudan’s Darfur region has reportedly witnessed a surge, with 20,000 individuals finding refuge in Adré.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 230,000 refugees and 38,000 returnees have crossed into Chad from Sudan, the agency noted in its statement.
“The situation is dire, necessitating immediate action from the WFP”, it stressed.
WFP said it has delivered crucial food and nutrition assistance to nearly 152,000 new arrivals, including refugees and host communities along Chad-Sudan border.
“While WFP intensifies its efforts to support the refugees arriving in Chad, it is imperative that food assistance reaches the civilians remaining in West Darfur,” it noted.
WFP is reportedly providing food assistance and nutrition support in East, North, South, and Central Darfur, reaching over 420,000 people to date. However, due to safety concerns, the agency is unable to operate in West Darfur at this time.
The UN agency has, however, appealed for a collective response to address the pressing needs of those affected by the ongoing conflict and calls for the secure delivery of life-saving aid to both refugees and civilians remaining in Sudan.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said it facilitated the movement of more than 630 trucks carrying over 28,500 metric tons of assistance to 10 states in Sudan between 22 May and 7 July, 2023.
Also, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said it is increasing local food production and availability through timely seed distribution for the planting season.
(ST)