Chad — Sudan crisis response: Flash update 13 (28 July 2023)

Since the beginning of clashes in April in Sudan, over 240 700 people have crossed the border into Chad. IOM estimates that more than 48 180 of them are Chadian returnees and expects this number to rise to 80 000 in the coming weeks.  In coordination with CNARR and humanitarian officials, IOM has registered 39 117 returnees and observed 75 third-country nationals (from South Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Uganda) in 25 localities in three provinces.  Most of the returnees are currently residing in spontaneous locations near the border and are in urgent need of essential goods and services such as food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, household items, health, and protection. 

IOM is preparing the safe and dignified relocation of nearly 10,000 vulnerable returnees living in inadequate conditions in the border town of Adré to the new site of Tongori. IOM is conducting site development activities on the new site, including preparing the land for the construction of transitional shelters, installation of water distribution systems to ensure access to safe drinking water, and the development of protection mechanisms, including for community-based protection and identification and referral mechanism, in coordination with other humanitarian actors. The rapid WASH assessment conducted by IOM in Toumtouma, where nearly 10,000 returnees from Sudan reside highlighted that the source of water for the returnees is not considered as safe for drinking and the majority of households (2/3) do not treat the water, making them vulnerable to illnesses related to poor water and sanitation conditions. 98% returnees collect their drinking water from the nearby wadi/seasonal riverbed. 65% reported diarrhea and 58% malaria cases. 

IOM works with a range of operational partners in the returnee response including the Government of Chad, UNHCR, LWF, PUI, UNICEF, MSF, UNFPA, ICRC, IRC, the Chadian Red Cross and WFP.