UN raises alarm over lack of funds to provide aid The United Nations food agency issued a warning on Tuesday.
It stated that food assistance for 1.4 million refugees in Chad, who fled conflict in the Sahel region, might cease due to limited funding.
According to the U.N.’s World Food Program, most refugees arrived in Chad in the last six months, escaping the war in Sudan—the largest influx in 20 years.Pierre Honnorat, WFP’s country director in Chad, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling it a “forgotten crisis” amid other emergencies.
He highlighted the risk of life-saving operations halting in Chad if the world doesn’t act. The conflict in Sudan, escalating in April, resulted in over 5,000 deaths and displaced at least 5.2 million people, with reports of mass killings, rapes, and widespread destruction.Chad, already grappling with poverty, faced increased pressure as one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing refugee populations sought refuge there.
The WFP emphasized the need for collective support, stating that cutting assistance is not an option, considering the potential consequences for millions. Malnutrition is a significant concern, with nine in 10 new arrivals reporting poor or borderline food consumption.Honnorat urgently called for $185 million to sustain support for crisis-affected populations in Chad over the next six months. Without this funding, the WFP anticipates making “brutal choices,” prioritizing specific needs and groups.
He warned that, starting in December, assistance to internally displaced people and refugees from Nigeria, Central African Republic, and Cameroon would be suspended due to insufficient funds. This suspension is expected to extend to 1.4 million people across Chad from January, including new arrivals from Sudan.Credit : Independent