Chad’s Touloum Camp Strained by Influx of Sudanese Refugees

The situation at the Touloum refugee camp in Chad is worsening as thousands of Sudanese flee the ongoing civil war. Malnutrition rates are rising, with the local health system overwhelmed. The UN predicts refugee numbers may soon approach one million, compounded by inadequate international aid. As the rainy season approaches, fears of disease outbreaks further threaten the vulnerable population.

IRIBA, Chad, April 25, 2025 – The situation at a refugee camp in Chad is rapidly deteriorating as thousands flee the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Nadjala Mourraou recently brought her malnourished two-year-old son, Ahma, to the doctors’ tent, where he was diagnosed with severe malnutrition. The family, who escaped the conflict in Nyala more than a year ago, has been surviving on minimal rations of assida, a sorghum porridge.

The Touloum refugee camp is struggling to accommodate the influx of nearly 770,000 Sudanese refugees, a number that continues to rise. The ongoing two-year conflict has left approximately 13 million people displaced, with over three million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Local health services are overwhelmed, and many cases of malnutrition are being reported.

According to Dessamba Adam Ngarhoudal, a nurse with Doctors Without Borders, daily consultations have seen a staggering rise in malnutrition cases, with nearly half of his patients affected. The working conditions are dire, and the local hospital is grappling with its malnutrition ward reaching full capacity.

As the brutal conflict in Sudan persists, not even high-level meetings aimed at resolving the war seem to yield results. The UN predicts that Chad could see its refugee population swell to nearly one million as the situation worsens. Support for Chad is dwindling, and funding from international bodies remains severely inadequate.

Wadi Fira province’s governor, Djimbaye Kam-Ndoh, expressed urgency for an escalation in support as the local population has essentially doubled. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are expressing concern over potential cuts to aid, particularly amidst the heightened crises in Sudan and upcoming rainy seasons, which could lead to outbreaks of disease.

Reports estimate nearly 25 million people in Sudan face severe food insecurity, and the impending rainy season heightens the risks of malaria and other diseases, particularly affecting vulnerable children. Health officials warn that without effective intervention, the situation could spiral into further catastrophe.

The refugee crisis in Chad highlights the urgent need for international support as local resources are becoming strained. With the Sudan civil war showing no signs of abating, the number of refugees may reach crisis levels, putting immense pressure on Chad’s already limited capabilities. Malnutrition and medical emergencies are on the rise, prompting calls for increased humanitarian aid, which currently falls alarmingly short. The upcoming rainy season adds to the compounding health risks, particularly for children.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net