Amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, Chad shows ‘act of solidarity’

That is according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who held talks this week with more than forty leaders of Sudanese civil society in the northern state’s capital, Dongola.

“But these representatives have also found the solution,” Mr Türk said in a speech video about X. “There must be a total effort, both within Sudan and by the international community, to help themto make their work easier.”

The conflict in Sudan, which broke out in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the armed group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has uprooted part of the population. 9.3 million people and has caused one of the world’s largest hunger crises.

Mr Türk began his visit on Wednesday and will meet with Sudanese authorities, civil society, humanitarian partners and people displaced by the conflict in Darfur and Kordofan. He will hold two press conferences at the end of his visit on January 18.

Chad shows ‘act of solidarity’

Since April 2023 more than 900,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in eastern Chad, with new arrivals every day, the UN refugee agency reports (UNHCR) said Friday.

The newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, visited Chad for the first time in this capacity this week, where he met with Sudanese refugee families and local authorities.

Many of the refugees he met had been displaced several times since the start of the conflict. They described years of violent attacks and human rights violations.

“What is unfolding in Sudan is a humanitarian disaster of overwhelming proportions. The generous welcome of refugees to Chad is a powerful act of solidarity,” Mr Salih said.

From displacement to solutions

Mr Salih also recognized host communities that have welcomed refugees despite economic hardship and environmental pressures.

He reiterated UNHCR’s willingness to work with the Government and others to facilitate economic opportunities and provide services to both refugees and host communities.

“During their visits to Chad and Kenya last week, both countries clearly showed how With continued international support, inclusive policies can move us from responding to displacement emergencies to providing solutions”, Mr Salih emphasized.

“When refugees are protected and included, they can rebuild their lives and contribute to the societies they reside in. This is what I see here, and this is the direction we need to travel.”