David Lammy expressed his horror after meeting Sudanese war victims at the Chad-Sudan border, highlighting the desperate plight of women and children fleeing violence, famine, and atrocities. As he calls for increased global action, the situation remains dire with millions in need of humanitarian aid.
David Lammy's Heart-Wrenching Encounter with Sudanese Refugees in Chad
David Lammy's Heart-Wrenching Encounter with Sudanese Refugees in Chad
The UK Foreign Secretary confronts the grim realities of the Sudanese civil war during his visit to Chad's border.
Every day, families escape from the devastation of war and hunger in Sudan, aiming for refuge in Chad. This reality struck a nerve with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who visited the border post in Adré to observe the situation first-hand. The civil war in Sudan escalated when the army conflicted with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing widespread chaos and displacement.
Lammy described witnessing “some of the most horrific things” during his visit, emphasizing the overwhelming number of women and children crossing into Chad with stories of violence, murder, and sexual assault. Many refugees arrive exhausted, having left most of their belongings behind during their escape. One woman, Halima Abdalla, shared her deep sorrow of losing a child while fleeing from Darfur, a region that has faced some of the worst violence in the last two years.
Aid workers in Chad are actively trying to reunite refugees with their separated relatives. According to one worker, mothers faced the heartbreaking decision of which children to take with them. Unaccompanied children have also been taken into foster care as aid organizations seek their parents.
During discussions with fleeing families and aid workers, Lammy detailed the horrific narratives shared with him, which included accounts of violence and torture. He raised concern over what he termed the “hierarchy of conflict,” expressing frustration that the situation in Sudan has been largely ignored internationally despite being the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Lammy previously pushed for a ceasefire resolution at the UN Security Council, which was vetoed by Russia. He plans to address the situation further by convening a meeting of Sudan's neighboring countries and international partners in London to discuss peace.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, over 12 million individuals have been displaced, with civilians trapped amidst the fighting and an escalating humanitarian crisis. The UN reports extraordinarily high malnutrition rates, with one in every seven children in Adré currently malnourished.
As the UK has pledged to double its aid to £200 million, there is growing concern over potential disruptions in foreign aid following changes in US government policy. Lammy emphasized the urgent need for more support from donor nations, underlining the critical need for action to avert future famine and suffering.
The swift increase in Adré’s population due to fleeing refugees has strained available resources, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Despite some aid efforts, the situation remains dire across the border in Darfur, where famine has recently been declared amidst ongoing violence.
As Lammy concluded his visit, he reiterated the urgent call to “wake up” to the ongoing crisis, pressing for immediate global response and partnership to address the unfolding disaster beyond the borders of Sudan.
