Due to the conflict that broke out in Sudan last April, several men and women have been forced to leave their homes and villages behind in search of safety and for the survival of their families in other parts of the country and beyond, including Chad. In their flight, many displaced families did not have access to basic necessities – including adequate housing, medicines and health services, food or water – while in the desert. To date, more than 3.9 million people have been displaced following the escalation between Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces earlier this year.
With the escalating number of refugees and returnees fleeing to Chad, Msgr. Nicolas Nadji Bab and other Caritas officials met with vulnerable men, women and children at temporary reception centres at the Sudan-Chad border in June. In response, Caritas Chad were then able to provide food to over 1,000 households (around 4,500 people) as well as other items including blankets, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, soap, chlorine for water disinfection and jerry cans to over 400 households.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) delivering humanitarian aid to Sudanese refugees and returnees in Chad.
Following the ad limina visit of the Bishops of Chad to Rome in September, Msgr. Nicolas Nadji Bab, President of Caritas Chad, shed light on the desperate need for humanitarian support for the people of Chad, particularly in the areas of healthcare and food security. “They don’t have access to the basic structures that provide health care. Several dioceses have health centres and hospitals, and this allows us to really support our people who are in need,” he said. “We also work in the area of food security because our people can’t eat, they’re hungry, and thanks to certain partners, we’re helping them with food security.”
In view of the continuing inter-community clashes in Sudan, the Chadian government estimates the number of refugees and returnees arriving in Chad by the end of 2023 could reach 600,000 people. Caritas are therefore committed to continue their ongoing support for those most in need, particularly in the province of Ouaddaï in eastern Chad.
Through your financial support, Caritas can provide 1,500 refugee households, returnees and host communities (around 7,500 people) with:
- food distributions over a three-month period
- household items and shelter kits
- water, sanitation and hygiene items (WASH). Caritas will also carry out hygiene promotion campaigns in the communities
Msgr. Nicolas Nadji Bab expressed his deep gratitude towards all donors who have and continue to support the work of Caritas Internationalis in his country: “Thank you very much to all of you who work with Caritas Internationalis as a partner and continue to support this Caritas so that it can really meet the needs of our people.”
To support Caritas’ Emergency Appeal for Chad please kindly donate here