UNHCR: Sudanese Women Face Sexual Violence Fleeing to Chad

• A UNHCR report on September 26, 2026, revealed that Sudanese women and girls have been kidnapped and raped while fleeing to Chad.
• Mamadou Dian Balde, UN Regional Coordinator, confirmed reports of severe abuses during refugee journeys to safety.
• Chad currently hosts approximately 1.3 million Sudanese refugees, living in harsh conditions due to inadequate aid.
• Refugee arrivals in Chad have surged dramatically, with over 400 people crossing daily, representing a 20-fold increase.
• Widespread drought in Darfur and other parts of Sudan, caused by low rainfall, is exacerbating displacement and impacting livelihoods.

The documented instances of severe gender-based violence against Sudanese women and girls underscore the critical need for enhanced protection measures and a robust international response.

A recent report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), issued on September 26, 2026, has brought to light harrowing accounts of severe gender-based violence experienced by Sudanese women and girls. These individuals, fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, have been subjected to kidnapping and rape during their perilous journeys into Chad, where they seek safety. The findings emerged amidst a dramatic acceleration in the rate of people escaping the conflict, which has increased twenty-fold.

Mamadou Dian Balde, the UN Regional Coordinator for Refugees in Sudan, addressed these grave concerns during a press conference held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. He stated that newly arrived refugees consistently describe the devastating human cost of the conflict in Sudan. Specifically, women and girls have reported experiencing profound abuses, including both kidnapping and rape, as they made their way to Chad in search of protection and security. These reports highlight the extreme vulnerabilities faced by those displaced by the conflict, particularly Sudanese women and girls.

Chad is currently grappling with a significant humanitarian challenge, hosting approximately 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. These displaced populations are enduring harsh humanitarian conditions, largely due to an inadequate response to their urgent needs. The situation is further exacerbated by a sharp increase in the number of Sudanese refugees arriving in Chad.

Over the past week, more than 400 individuals have been crossing border areas daily in Adré and Tina, marking a staggering 20-fold increase compared to the daily average recorded in the preceding months. This year alone, Chad has received 55,000 Sudanese refugees in its eastern regions, adding immense pressure to already strained resources and infrastructure. The transit center in Tina, located in eastern Chad, is currently accommodating a significant number of these new arrivals.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to exact a devastating human toll, driving millions from their homes and exposing them to extreme violence and hardship. Beyond the direct impact of the conflict, climate shocks are adding another layer of pressure, intensifying the displacement crisis. The Darfur region, along with extensive parts of Sudan, is experiencing a widespread drought, a direct consequence of below-average rainfall.

This environmental degradation severely impacts the livelihoods of millions of farmers and herders who depend on consistent rainfall for their survival. The combination of conflict-induced displacement and climate-related pressures creates a complex and dire situation for Sudanese refugees, particularly those seeking refuge in neighboring Chad. The documented instances of severe gender-based violence against Sudanese women and girls underscore the critical need for enhanced protection measures and a robust international response.

The reports of kidnapping and sexual assault against Sudanese women and girls during their flight to Chad highlight a critical failure in protecting vulnerable populations under international humanitarian law. The severe abuses reported by refugees underscore the urgent necessity for comprehensive support systems that prioritize the safety and well-being of those fleeing conflict. The existing harsh humanitarian conditions in Chad, coupled with a weak response to the needs of 1.3 million refugees, demand immediate and sustained attention from the global community.

Addressing the Chad refugee crisis, including the pervasive issue of sexual assault and other human rights abuses, requires a concerted effort to provide adequate resources, secure transit routes, and establish safe havens. The international community must act decisively to mitigate the devastating human cost of the Sudan conflict, ensuring that refugees, especially women and girls, receive the protection and assistance they desperately need.

Lawyers specializing in international human rights or asylum law should note these documented instances of severe gender-based violence against Sudanese refugees as potential evidence for claims, prosecutions, or policy advocacy. Compliance officers should assess heightened human rights risks for operations or supply chains linked to the Sudan-Chad border region.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune