UN says Sudanese arrivals in Chad surged 20-fold as aid funding fell far short

Reuters reported at 11:49 UTC on September 25, citing UNHCR data, that more than 400 Sudanese people a day crossed into eastern Chad during the previous week, roughly 20 times the daily rate of recent months. Because the figures come from the UN refugee agency, the core data are classified as confirmed.

UNHCR said the new arrivals were coming mainly from Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile state. They described continuing conflict, air bombardment and drone attacks, although individual accounts and casualty figures may still change with conditions on the ground.

The agency has received only 18% of the $1.6 billion it says is needed this year for the Sudan regional response. The funding gap has reduced food assistance and the capacity to relocate people from border areas, provide shelter and deliver other basic services.

Nearly one million refugees have crossed from Sudan into Chad since the war began in 2023, including more than 55,000 in 2026. The conflict has displaced as many as 14 million people overall, according to UN estimates.

UNHCR officials warned that people who cannot secure shelter, food and basic protection in neighbouring countries may move again and could attempt journeys toward Europe. That is the agency's assessment of secondary-movement risk, not a forecast of specific numbers or routes.

Verification: confirmed (official UNHCR data and briefing reported by Reuters). News value: A; originRegion: Africa; primary topic: society; relatedRegions: Europe and worldwide; source time: September 25, 2026, 11:49 UTC; N Globe report time: September 25, 2026, 12:37 UTC.