Sudan's War Spills Into Chad
May 7, 2026
DISPLACED IN SUDAN
11M+
internally displaced — world's largest crisis (UN, 2025)
REFUGEES IN CHAD
1.1M+
Sudanese refugees hosted by Chad as of Mar 2025
CHAD–SUDAN BORDER
1,300 km
largely ungoverned shared frontier
2025 APPEAL FUNDED
7%
$210M received of $3B requested (OCHA FTS)
GENOCIDE DESIGNATION
Jun 2024
U.S. Secretary Blinken designated RSF conduct in Darfur
Sudan's civil war — triggered on April 15, 2023 by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — has produced the world's largest displacement crisis. With 11 million internally displaced and 1.1 million refugees flooding into neighboring Chad, the conflict is destabilizing the entire Sahel. A 2025 USAID freeze has pushed humanitarian funding to just 7% of what is needed.
Sudan IDPs (millions, left axis)
Refugees in Chad (thousands, right axis)
Sources: UNHCR, UN OCHA. IDP figures represent cumulative internal displacement inside Sudan. Refugee figures represent Sudanese nationals registered in Chad.
Why It Matters Beyond Sudan
🌍
Sahel Destabilization
Chad is the linchpin of Sahel security. Its armed forces partner with Western nations to counter jihadist groups. A collapsed or distracted Chad military removes a critical buffer.
💸
Funding Vacuum
The USAID freeze created a $800M+ gap that EU and Gulf donors have not filled. Aid organizations are closing operations, and famine conditions are spreading beyond Zamzam camp.
⚖️
Accountability Gap
Despite a U.S. genocide designation and a UNSC resolution, no enforceable mechanism has stopped RSF atrocities. The precedent weakens global norms on mass atrocity prevention.
Key Questions
DATA SOURCES
UNHCRUN OCHAACLEDWorld BankUSAIDUN Human Development IndexFund for Peace FSI 2024UN OCHA Financial Tracking Service
Data sources
Sudan Situation — Refugee Data· UNHCRSudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2024–2025· UN OCHAFinancial Tracking Service — Sudan· UN OCHA FTSFragile States Index 2024· Fund for PeaceHuman Development Index 2023–24· UNDPSudan — Armed Conflict Event Data· ACLEDSudan Genocide Determination Statement· U.S. Department of StateChad — Refugee Operations Overview· UNHCR ChadSudan Regional Crisis Analysis· World Politics ReviewIPC Famine Assessment — Zamzam Camp, Sudan· Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)