Refugee women in Chad confront violence and healthcare shortages

The humanitarian crisis in Chad continues to deepen, with over 1.3 million refugees and returnees—primarily women and children—seeking shelter in a country already grappling with extreme poverty and an underfunded healthcare system. This alarming situation was highlighted during a recent assessment mission in the eastern region of the country.

Sudan’s conflict fuels violence against women and girls

Andrew Saberton, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations agency overseeing sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA), recently visited critical areas in eastern Chad, including Abéché, Adré in the Ouaddaï region, and the Iridimi refugee camp—all situated more than 1,000 kilometers from the capital, N’Djamena. His observations revealed the devastating impact of the neighboring Sudan conflict on displaced women and girls.

In Adré, near the Sudanese border, Saberton toured a UNFPA-supported center where refugee women shared harrowing accounts of violence they face when leaving camps to gather firewood. The journey for basic necessities has become perilous, with risks of harassment, assault, and sexual violence turning what should be a routine task into a source of constant fear.

Despite these challenges, Saberton commended the resilience of women receiving support in these centers, including psychosocial care, vocational training, and income-generating activities.

A particularly distressing case involved a young survivor of obstetric fistula, married at just 15 years old. Her first pregnancy ended in the death of her baby after three days of labor without medical assistance. Her husband abandoned her, and she lived with this severe complication for nearly a decade before finally receiving treatment. Shockingly, she now faces renewed pressure to remarry.

Healthcare systems overwhelmed by refugee influx

The Wadi Fira region, home to the Iridimi camp, is one of the hardest-hit areas. Local health authorities report over 333,000 refugees distributed across eight camps, straining an already fragile healthcare infrastructure. At the camp’s health center, midwives conduct up to 300 deliveries monthly with severely limited resources. Medical staff report that shortages of anesthetics sometimes force unsafe cesarean sections, a practice Saberton condemned outright.

The funding crisis exacerbates these challenges. The UNFPA office in Chad faces a 44% reduction in resources compared to 2025. Of the $18.7 million requested for 2026 to sustain maternal health services and protection programs, only 2.5% has been secured to date. Chad already has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with approximately 860 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Saberton emphasized the urgent need for international support, stating, “For the women and girls we met in eastern Chad, assistance translates to safe childbirth, care after violence, and a chance to survive.”