Date: June 30, 2023

Geneva (ICRC) - In response to an increasing influx of gunshot wound victims seeking safety and medical care after escaping fighting in neighboring Sudan, a surgical team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been deployed to eastern Chad.

The team, consisting of a surgeon, an anesthetist, a ward nurse, and an operating theatre nurse, conducted their first surgeries on Thursday. Stationed at the University Hospital Centre in Abéché, these medical specialists aim to alleviate the strain on medical facilities in Adré and Abéché, which have struggled to cope with the overwhelming needs of the affected population. Additionally, a second surgical team and an ICRC physiotherapist are expected to arrive in the region soon.

The crisis in Sudan has led to the shutdown of numerous healthcare facilities due to a lack of electricity, running water, and essential medical and food supplies. Consequently, patients in need of medical attention are compelled to seek care in safer locations.

Jerome Fontana, head of the ICRC delegation in N'Djamena, emphasized, "The Sudan crisis is spilling over borders, and the resources in neighboring countries are overstretched. Gunshot patients often require long and complex treatment, including orthopedic and reconstructive surgery. When they arrive in large numbers, in most cases accompanied by family members, the pressure on hospitals is immense."

The ongoing violence in Sudan has forced approximately 160,000 individuals to flee the Darfur region and seek refuge in Chad. Among them, over 1,000 individuals have sustained injuries during the conflict. The majority of those fleeing are women and children who endure physical exhaustion after enduring days of arduous travel. Red Cross branches in Ouaddai, Sila, and Wadi Fira are providing support to refugees, returnees, and host communities. Efforts include the construction of shelters and water infrastructure in Ouaddai. The ICRC, in collaboration with the Chad Red Cross Society, is also assisting families who have lost contact with their loved ones and distributing essential household items and tents.

Since the outbreak of violence in Sudan on April 15, the ICRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society have been working together to deliver surgical supplies to hospitals, facilitate the collection and identification of mortal remains, and improve access to clean water. Furthermore, the ICRC has engaged in ongoing dialogue with all parties involved in the Sudanese conflict, aiming to facilitate medical evacuations for the injured while reminding the parties of their obligations under the norms of international humanitarian law.

As the situation in Sudan remains precarious, humanitarian organizations like the ICRC continue to provide essential support to those affected by the conflict. Efforts are focused on delivering critical medical assistance, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and offering support to vulnerable communities.