N'Djamena, Chad, 24 June 2026 — As the war in Sudan continues to drive the world's largest displacement crisis, the European Union has provided an additional €2 million on top of its initial allocation to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to reinforce its emergency response in eastern Chad. The top-up funding will allow the IRC to deliver lifesaving health, nutrition and protection over the coming year to Sudanese families forced to flee the conflict, while supporting Chadian communities that continue to share already scarce resources with new arrivals.
The war in Sudan has forced millions of people to flee their homes. Hundreds of thousands have crossed into neighbouring Chad, often arriving after days or weeks of travel under extremely harsh conditions. Many have fled violence, including reports of killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of entire communities, particularly in regions such as Darfur. Families frequently arrive exhausted, with little more than the clothes they are wearing, having lost their homes, livelihoods, and access to basic services.
Alain Rusuku, country director for the IRC in Chad, said:
“The Sudanese conflict has persisted for years, yet refugees continue to arrive with urgent, undiminished needs. This funding recognises that reality and will help us sustain lifesaving care in an increasingly difficult operating environment.
We must also remember the Chadian communities hosting them: they should not carry this burden alone and need continued support.”
Many are in urgent need of food, clean water, medical care, and psychological support after experiencing traumatic events. The scale of needs remains immense, as thousands of people continue to seek safety in Chad.
In eastern Chad, the IRC has been working in partnership with the European Union since June 2025 to provide lifesaving support to Sudanese refugees and host communities. Over the last 12 months, the IRC has reached more than 531,000 people in the Ouaddaï and Wadi Fira regions along the Sudanese border. With a total financial contribution now exceeding €5 million from the European Union, the IRC delivers health, nutrition, protection, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services to refugees across 13 camps hosting Sudanese families fleeing the war in their home country. Nutrition services include inpatient treatment centres where children with severe malnutrition receive care while mothers and caregivers stay with them throughout recovery.
Pierre-Yves Scotto, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid Operations in Chad, said:
“After more than three years of conflict in Sudan, millions of people remain trapped in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. With no political solution on the horizon and humanitarian funding under strain, continued EU support to organisations is essential to sustain life-saving aid. The refugees and communities affected by the violence in Darfur cannot be forgotten; they need international solidarity now more than ever.”
Survivors of gender‑based violence receive specialized care and referrals, while health services are delivered through a collaborative model where Chadian government staff and Chadian Red Cross provide frontline care, with the IRC supplying medicines, equipment, training, and supervision. This integrated approach maintains continuity of care and strengthens local health systems, even amid a 40% funding shortfall in eastern Chad.
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.