Chad — Sudan crisis response: Flash update 26 (29 December 2023)

• Over 550,000 people have crossed into Chad since the onset of the crisis in Sudan. IOM estimates that more than 131,425 among them are Chadian returnees and expects this number to rise to 150,000 by the end of March 2024, due to renewed conflict in Darfur.

• In coordination with CNARR and humanitarian organizations, IOM has counted 93,701 returnees and counted 346 third-country nationals (from South Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Uganda) in 36 localities in three provinces.

• Most of the returnees currently live in spontaneous locations near the border and are in urgent need of food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, household items, health, and protection.

• IOM is relocating returnees from Adre to a site in Tongori in coordination with authorities. In total, 8,226 individuals have so far been relocated. Separate designated ambulatory vehicles were used to transport the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities. Furthermore, IOM has supported the establishment of a site governance structure with representatives elected by the site residents and is supporting the establishment of community groups (women, youth, community watch, etc.).

• IOM is coordinating with local authorities, embassies and diplomatic representations for the safe transfer and voluntary return of third-country nationals (TCNs) from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon to N’Djamena.

• IOM collaborates with a range of operational partners in the returnee response including the Government of Chad, UNHCR, OCHA, LWF, PUI, UNICEF, MSF, UNFPA, LMI, ICRC, IRC, ACTED, the Chadian Red Cross, HELP-Tchad, ATURAD, Concern Worldwide, COOPI, INTERSOS, and WFP.