In 19 months, the war in Sudan has displaced more than 11 million people. In Chad, there are more than a million, mainly concentrated in the east of the country. In these camps, Sudanese refugees accuse United Nations humanitarian teams as well as Chadian security forces of sexual abuse.
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With our correspondent in Ndjamena, Nadia Ben Mahfoudh
Around 90% of the refugees in the camps in eastern Chad are children and women. More than half of them arrived alone. Before fleeing the Sudanmost of them already have “ suffered violence, including rape. So, we must prevent this in Chad », Explains Epiphanie Dionrang, president of the Chadian League for Women’s Rights.
However, the revelations of the American news agency AP (link in English) in refugee camps report, among other things, non-consensual sexual relations in exchange for care or certain access. The refugees would suffer “ forced sex to survive “, of the ” sexual exploitation in exchange for money » or access to assistance or care « within the camps themselves “. Other testimonies report children resulting from these non-consensual sexual relations.
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Humanitarians involved
The facts reported involve both humanitarian workers affiliated with the United Nations and Chadian security forces. The United Nations at Chad say they are saddened to learn that these allegations weigh on their teams. They advocate “ a zero tolerance policy » in the face of all « sexual exploitation and abuse “.
Yewande Osarhieme Odia, acting humanitarian coordinator of the United Nations in Chad, and president of the United Nations Agency in charge of sexual and reproductive health issues, ensures that she has “ a solid prevention mechanism (…) integrated centers where we receive women victims of violence and where we assist them, we even provide legal support so that they can take legal action against the aggressor ”, and asserts that a “ investigation process » is launched.
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However, the humanitarian coordinator does not wish to respond when RFI asks her if this investigation has already made it possible to identify agencies or NGOs whose members may have participated in these acts.
We have a system that prohibits people accused of sexual exploitation from taking up a position elsewhere.
The full interview with Yewande Osarhieme Odia, UN humanitarian coordinator in Chad
If the investigation shows that there has been sexual exploitation and abuse, sanctions could range from termination of service to more serious measures, depending on the ” country of origin » workers and “ seriousness of the actss”. According to the manager, these acts are noted “ everywhere in the world and not just with UN personnel, this is the case with other humanitarian actors or state security agents “.
These cases are just another facet of the dramatic situation in the refugee camps. Sexual assaults, famine, lack of infrastructure and suitable services, the Chadian government and organizations present in the camps are alarmed. The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees has only received 11% of the $214 million needed in 2024 to tackle the crisis.
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