Thousands of Sudanese refugees who escaped the war now face another life-threatening challenge. The Sudanese refugees water crisis Chad has left families struggling to find clean drinking water in overcrowded camps across eastern Chad.
In Goudrane refugee camp, which shelters nearly 50,000 refugees, families recently waited four days before a water truck finally arrived. As soon as it entered the camp, hundreds of people rushed forward with containers. However, the truck carried only 6,000 litres of water, which disappeared within minutes. Consequently, many women and children returned home without any water.
Sudanese Refugees Water Crisis Chad Leaves Thousands Without Safe Water
Most refugees fled Sudan after fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
Among them is former schoolteacher Rokhia Ibrahim from El Fasher. She recalled that armed men attacked her family while they tried to escape. They assaulted her husband, injured her baby, and emptied the little drinking water they carried.
Although the family reached Chad safely, she says the daily struggle for water has become just as painful.
Humanitarian Agencies Warn Conditions Could Worsen
According to the United Nations, more than 938,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into Chad since the conflict began.
However, many camps cannot provide enough clean water. As a result, numerous families receive far less than the minimum daily amount recommended by humanitarian agencies.
Medical workers warn that the shortage increases the risk of disease outbreaks. In addition, poor sanitation makes treatment more difficult for vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organisation Solidarités International says current water systems cannot support the growing refugee population. Boreholes, pipelines, and sanitation facilities remain under intense pressure. At the same time, aid agencies continue facing major funding shortages.
Many new arrivals also carry painful memories.
Refugee Zahra Khamis, who escaped West Darfur, described seeing bodies scattered along roads leading to the Chad border. During the journey, her young son was shot. Even so, the family continued towards safety despite the tragedy.
International investigators have accused armed groups of carrying out systematic attacks against the Masalit community. Several reports describe the violence as ethnic cleansing.
Although humanitarian organisations continue providing assistance, hopes of returning home remain distant. Peace efforts have made little progress, and thousands still rely on emergency aid.
For many refugees, clean drinking water has become as essential as safety itself. Unless international support increases, the humanitarian crisis is likely to grow even worse.
