Chad

Overview

Chad, a landlocked country in North Central Africa, hosts refugees from neighboring conflicts while grappling with climate change—particularly desertification and the drying up of Lake Chad—and ongoing violence in Sudan.

Country Facts

• Population: Approximately 21 million (2025 estimate)
• People in need of humanitarian aid: 7 million (nearly 40% of the population)
• Number of refugees hosted / displaced: 450,000 from Sudan, CAR, and Nigeria (up to 900,000 possible by end of 2024)
• Top regions affected / border situations:
  • Refugees from Sudan, Central African Republic, and Nigeria
  • Insecurity in neighboring countries driving displacement
  • Severe environmental challenges including desertification and Lake Chad’s shrinkage

Crisis

The humanitarian crisis in Chad stems from conflict, climate change, and poverty. Hosting hundreds of thousands fleeing Sudan, CAR, and Nigeria, Chad faces severe environmental degradation, extreme poverty, and strained healthcare and education systems. International aid addresses immediate needs, but systemic solutions are required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What caused the crisis in Chad?
Driven by conflict in Sudan and CAR, severe drought, desertification, food insecurity, political instability, and poverty.

What are the main humanitarian challenges in Chad?
Mass displacement, severe food insecurity, high maternal mortality, lack of education and healthcare access, and extreme poverty.

What are refugees from Chad facing in host countries?
Overcrowded camps, limited services, vulnerability to exploitation, and legal and economic integration barriers.

What efforts assist displaced populations in Chad?
UNHCR, WFP, and NGOs provide food, shelter, healthcare, education, while international actors focus on conflict resolution and climate adaptation.

What can be done to help?
Support humanitarian organizations, donate to refugees, advocate for climate action, and promote peaceful conflict resolution.