UAE sends 5,000 food packages to Sudanese refugees in Chad

Up to 20,000 displaced people in camps in eastern Chad supported by aid parcels

Food parcels from the UAE are received in N’Djamena, capital of Chad. Photo: Wam

Humanitarian aid continues to flow into Chad from the UAE to support refugees displaced by the continuing civil war in Sudan.

A total of 5,000 food packages were sent to the country and distributed by the UAE Aid Co-ordination Office in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena to support iftar programmes throughout Ramadan, state news agency Wam reported on Sunday.

More than 20,000 Sudanese refugees were supported in camps in Treguine and Breidjing, along the east of Chad in the Ouaddai region, with 3,500 aid packages.

Elsewhere in N’Djamena and its surrounding suburbs, 1,500 food parcels and 33 tonnes of dates were distributed in partnership with Chad's Ministry of Social Action, Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs, which benefited about 30,000 people.

“The UAE implements extensive efforts to provide the necessary humanitarian aid for Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries while supporting the host communities, enhancing their ability to deliver humanitarian responses and contributing to supporting social and economic stability, through the delivery of essential supplies,” said Rashid Al Shamsi, UAE ambassador to Chad.

“This is of particular prominence during the holy month of Ramadan, which is in line with the legacy of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was committed to providing support and assistance, to meet the needs of families in need across the world, during the holy month.”

The Sudanese Armed Forces are wrestling for control of the country with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allies, as the start of the civil war nears its two-year anniversary.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, more that 12.5 million people are understood to have been displaced, with many of them fleeing to neighbouring countries.