The surge of Sudanese refugees fleeing the ongoing war has pushed eastern Chad into a deepening humanitarian crisis, as temporary camps buckle under pressure from overcrowding, dwindling resources, and sharp cuts in international aid.

Since the civil war broke out in April 2023, hundreds of thousands have crossed into Chad, transforming quiet border towns like Adre and Tine into overwhelmed settlements grappling with basic survival.

Adre, which had a population of about 40,000, is now home to nearly a quarter-million Sudanese refugees. Most live in makeshift shelters made from straw and discarded materials, with many sleeping on the bare ground. The rapid population increase has put immense pressure on essential services.

Water scarcity has become critical. Prices have quadrupled due to the spike in demand, and the few available water points are sparking conflict among desperate users. Tensions between refugees and the local community are rising as they compete for basic resources like food and water.

The situation in Tine, a newly set up transit camp, is even more desperate. More than 46,000 people, mainly from Darfur, have settled in the open desert with minimal access to food and shelter.

They rely on sparse distributions from community kitchens and endure exposure to harsh conditions. Aid workers report trauma and violence among the new arrivals, many of whom escaped intense conflict.

Food aid, once a lifeline, has been severely reduced.

The World Food Program says it is being forced to scale down rations and staff due to major funding shortfalls, especially after U.S. contributions dropped from $39.3 million (Sh5.1 billion) last year to just $6.8 million (Sh878.9 million) in 2025. Only 13 per cent of the needed funds have been raised, according to humanitarian agencies.

Chadian authorities and the UN have called on refugees to relocate to more established camps farther from the border, citing security risks and rising crime in overcrowded areas like Adre.

“People must move,” said Benoit Kayembe Mukendi, the UN refugee agency's local representative. “For security reasons and for their protection.”

However, many refugees choose to remain close to the Sudanese border. Some hope to return home if the situation improves, while others are drawn by the chance to earn income or maintain cross-border ties.

Their decision is complicating efforts to ease pressure on frontline camps and deepening friction with host communities already struggling with poverty.

With aid drying up and refugee numbers continuing to climb, humanitarian workers warn the crisis could worsen. Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise, forcing many refugees to find informal jobs or start small businesses just to survive.

The burden is growing heavier for both displaced families and Chadian locals, raising fears that the fragile situation could spiral further out of control.