Chad’s Humanitarian Crisis: Overwhelmed Maternity Care Amidst Refugee Surge BODY: Khartoum, Sudan – The humanitarian crisis in Chad has reached critical proportions, with the country’s healthcare system, particularly maternity care, being overwhelmed by a massive influx of refugees from neighboring Sudan.
As of April 26, 2026, Chad hosted 926,421 registered arrivals from Sudan, with women and children comprising 87% of this population.
The situation in Chad’s eastern regions has been exacerbated by the growing protection risks for women and girls.
Many women are forced to travel farther from camps to collect firewood, putting them at risk of harassment and violence.
In late April, violent clashes over access to water in Wadi Fira Province resulted in 42 casualties, further highlighting the fragility of the region’s security and humanitarian situation. UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Andrew Saberton, reported on the dire conditions in Iridimi refugee camp, where midwives manage up to 300 births monthly with minimal equipment and limited medicines.
The UN agency warned that women in eastern Chad are being forced to give birth in overcrowded clinics with severe shortages of anesthesia, placing them and their newborns at great risk. Officials commented on the matter. “
The pressure on our healthcare system is immense, and we urgently need specialized sexual and reproductive health and protection services. “.
The Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2026 underscores the scale of the crisis, with 33. 7 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in Sudan.
The plan highlights the risks faced by vulnerable groups, including women and girls, who are particularly at risk of violence and exploitation.
The humanitarian crisis in Chad is part of a broader regional insecurity that hampers emergency response efforts. Reliefweb. Int’s report indicates that the situation in Chad is part of a wider trend of instability in the region, which is making it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to provide aid.
As the crisis deepens, the international community is called to act with urgency to address the pressing needs of the affected populations.
The UNFPA Chad Country Appeal 2026 and the Humanitarian Country Appeal for Chad (2026) outline the scale of the crisis and the urgent actions required to mitigate its impact.
The situation in Chad serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the challenges faced by countries hosting large numbers of refugees.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the international community must come together to provide the necessary support to ensure the safety, health, and well — being of those affected.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: United Nations Population Fund
