disaster
Over 400,000 Chadians Return from Sudan, IOM Urges Stronger Support
By International Organization for Migration at ReliefWeb
· June 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Countries: Chad, Sudan . “I sat with women returnees who walked for weeks, sometimes carrying children who were not their own, orphaned or lost along the way. As they return home, we cannot allow them to remain invisible,” said SungAh Lee, IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform during
Key takeaway As they return home, we cannot allow them to remain invisible,” said SungAh Lee, IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform during her visit to the country.
Why this matters
The return of over 400,000 Chadians from Sudan to eastern Chad has significant implications for the region's humanitarian landscape. The fact that 58 per cent of returnees are female and 69 per cent are children highlights the vulnerability of this population and the need for targeted support. As IOM notes, the response must extend beyond short-term relief to prioritize protection, health, dignity, and longer-term support for these individuals and the communities receiving them. The strain on local resources, including water, shelter, and healthcare, is particularly concerning given that eastern Chad was already facing high humanitarian needs before the Sudan crisis began. The IOM's call for stronger support, including investments in livelihoods and community infrastructure, acknowledges that the needs of returnees are no longer temporary and requires a more sustainable response. This crisis underscores the importance of locally led recovery efforts and the need for continued humanitarian assistance to address the complex needs of returnees and host communities.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Chad, Sudan . “I sat with women returnees who walked for weeks, sometimes carrying children who were not their own, orphaned or lost along the way. As they return home, we cannot allow them to remain invisible,” said SungAh Lee, IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform during
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by International Organization for Migration at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .