Refugee Crisis in Chad: Maternity Care Struggles Amid Overwhelmed Services BODY: Johannesburg, South Africa – The ongoing refugee crisis in Chad, driven by the civil war in neighboring Sudan, has reached a critical point, particularly in the country’s eastern regions.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that the overwhelmed maternity care in eastern Chad is on the brink of collapse, leaving thousands of women and newborns at risk.
The situation is dire, with over 1.
3 million refugees and returnees, predominantly women and children, pouring into Chad.
In the Iridimi refugee camp alone, midwives are managing up to 300 births each month, working under challenging conditions with minimal equipment and limited access to medicines.
The lack of anesthesia and specialized support further exacerbates the dangers for mothers and their infants.
UNFPA’s Deputy Executive Director, Andrew Saberton, highlighted the severity of the crisis during a recent visit to eastern Chad. “No woman should have to endure “the conditions in which they are currently giving birth, he stated.
The healthcare system in eastern Chad is already overstretched, and the influx of refugees and returnees has pushed it to the brink of collapse. Adding to the challenges, UNFPA’s activities in Chad are facing a significant 44% funding reduction in 2026. To date, only 2.
5% of the agency’s 2026 humanitarian appeal for Chad has been funded, leaving essential services like maternity care underfunded and unable to meet the growing demand.
The UNFPA has praised local women’s centers supported by the agency, which provide psychosocial care, vocational training, and support for survivors of violence.
However, these centers are also struggling to cope with the influx of refugees and returnees.
The crisis in Chad’s maternity care has broader implications for the region’s stability and development. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable during such times of crisis, and without adequate access to reproductive health services, the risks of maternal mortality and other health issues increase exponentially. Regional authorities and international organizations are呼吁 for immediate action to address the crisis.
The situation in eastern Chad is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for humanitarian support and funding to mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable populations.
As the crisis deepens, the international community must step up its efforts to ensure that basic healthcare, including maternity care, is accessible to all those in need, regardless of their migratory status.
The world is watching, and the eyes of humanity are on Chad, hoping for a swift resolution to this tragic situation.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: africa
Source: Editor
