Chad
The Red Cross is helping people in Chad deal with the impacts of climate change and conflict.
Last updated: 18 December 2025
Migration and displacement are huge problems in Chad linked to climate disasters and conflict in and around the country. Armed conflict, food insecurity, health emergencies and the consequences of the climate crisis are the 4 main drivers of humanitarian crisis in Chad.
The conflict in Sudan has led to almost 900,000 people, mostly women and children, crossing the border into Chad. This is stretching resources and services that are already limited.
Communities are doing their best to cope, but they can’t do it alone.
We need your support to continue our work and help those most at risk.
What is happening in Chad?
The climate crisis is also having a massive impact in Chad. Rising temperatures, increasing prevalence of floods, droughts and unpredictable weather make life even more difficult.
- 6 million people need humanitarian assistance
- Over 3.3 million people face severe food insecurity
- Nearly 1.9 million people are affected by climate-related disasters
- Around 75% of the population depend on farming
In February 2024, authorities declared a national food security and nutrition emergency. Around 2 million children under 5 years old are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
In August 2024, devastating floods caused major problems across Chad, affecting all 23 provinces, causing 175 deaths and affecting more than 960,000 people. The floods destroyed homes and damaged agricultural land, leaving communities less able to provide for themselves and more reliant on humanitarian aid.
On top of everything, Lake Chad is shrinking. This is a big problem for farming and water access, which many people depend on to survive.
Many communities have limited access to resources and basic services to help them prepare and adapt when climate disaster do occur – but we can help.
Sudanese refugees in Chad
892,802 people and counting have fled the conflict in Sudan and sought asylum in Chad. There are also refugees from Nigeria, Cameroon and the Central African Republic in Chad. This is putting a lot of strain on Chad’s limited resources.
The Red Cross of Chad runs a Humanitarian Service Point in Adré, on the border with Sudan. Here, people can get resources and access services including:
- water
- food and non-food items
- health and hygiene services
- psychosocial support
- family reunion services
So far, the Red Cross has reached over 262,000 people. 97% of those reached were women and children.
10% of children arriving at the border are severely malnourished and there are fears that 80% of children in Sudanese refugee camps in Chad will experience acute malnutrition.
Cholera outbreaks have crossed over from Sudan into Chad. People are dying. The risk is even high in refugee camps near the border due to overcrowding, difficulties in access and poor sanitation.
What are we doing to help Chad?
Since 2016, Chad Red Cross and British Red Cross have worked closely on migration and cash support.
The Chad Red Cross is committed to improving food security with a focus on climate smart approaches.
Moving forward, all areas of support - including food, migration, and cash aid - will continue through this partnership.
Our work in the Sahel region
The Sahel Integrated Programme for Climate Resilience and Migration supports the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements in Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad. These countries are facing the combined pressures of climate change, displacement and poverty.
We are helping the Chad Red Cross provide quick and responsible cash aid, and prepare for climate disasters like droughts and floods. This includes training volunteers on cash transfers, using digital tools like mobile payments and prepaid cards, and updating emergency plans.
Regular training will be organised to help Chad Red Cross manage cash aid well and prepare for climate disasters.
Disaster Fund
A donation to our Disaster Fund will help us respond to disasters in the UK and around the world, including armed conflict, wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters
Donate to the Disaster FundOur work in Chad
Humanitarian aid in the Sahel
The Red Cross is helping people in countries across the Sahel through poverty, hunger, drought and other impacts of climate change.
The climate crisis
In the UK and around the world, the Red Cross is united to support people affected by climate change.
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