The Ramboll Foundation supports Sudanese refugees in Chad

The conflict in Sudan continues to fuel what is currently the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. Since April 2023, Chad has become a lifeline for over 859,000 Sudanese refugees fleeing violence and instability in their home country. The Ramboll Foundation has now decided to support UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with a donation of DKK 500,000 towards their refugee response in Chad.

Refugees scrambling for food from community-led kitchen. With minimal international prescence, locally chadians have been filling the gap. Their arrival causes stampedes - as some havent eaten for days. Caitlin Kelly 3 May 2025

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The most recent influx to Chad began late April 2025, following violent attacks by armed groups in North Darfur, and it is estimated that 250,000 individuals could arrive in Chad throughout 2025. This will bring the number of Sudanese refugees who have arrived in Chad since April 2023 to around 1 million, in addition to the 409,000 refugees already present in eastern Chad from previous waves of displacement over the last two decades. Refugees arriving at the border are experiencing family separation, trauma, gender-based violence, and extreme deprivation.

The situation in Chad is highly critical and UNHCR’s operation in Chad continues to face major challenges due to critical underfunding. With our funding, we are able to contribute to core crisis relief, like:

getting refugees entering the border of Chad to safer, organised settlements
securing clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities
distributing core relief items such as food, blankets, and cooking utensils

© UNHCR/Nicolo Filippo Rosso - Sudanese refugees prepare for relocation to Dugui, a newly built camp by UNHCR, 6 hours far from the border, where access to education, clinics, water and an agricultural programme aim at setting the base for integration in Chad.

UNHCR leads and coordinates the refugee response in support of the Government of Chad. From the onset of the crisis, Chad has shown incredible generosity and resilience by granting asylum to Sudanese refugees despite the official closure of its borders.

The humanitarian crises currently playing out in Sudan and Chad is a highly overlooked state of severe emergency, and the Ramboll Foundation will continue to assist where we can in support of the people going through immense suffering and hardship as they are forced to flee their homes due to ongoing war and conflicts.

Søren Staugaard Nielsen

Managing Director, Ramboll Foundation

Refugees in Tine Transit Camp, Chad, May 2025 — © UNHCR/Caitlin Kelly - Newly arrived Sudanese refugees shelter outdoors in extreme heat at the Tine border in Chad.

Facts about the situation in Sudan and Chad

859,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed the border into Chad since April 2023. More than 130,000 have arrived during 2025.

87% of registered refugees are women and children. They arrive exhausted after several days of travel, many having been deprived of food for several days. Some show signs of dehydration, malnutrition, and psychological distress.

The impact of underfunding is severe:

One health centre serves 70,000 people.
There is one doctor for every 52,000 patients.
Just 2 out of every 10 school-aged children are enrolled in school.
14% of children are malnourished.
Daily water supply is just 5 litres per person, far below the emergency standard of 15 litres.

To provide shelter and basic services, UNHCR has opened 8 new refugee settlements and extended 11 existing settlements.

UNHCR has provided assistance to 511,000 refugees since April 2023, including over 100,000 since the beginning of 2025.

Want to know more?

Asbjørn Kristensen Høgsbro
Head of Philanthropy
+45 61 24 63 69