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UN PhotoUNHCR / CHAD REFUGEES SALIH VISIT
STORY: UNHCR / CHAD REFUGEES SALIH VISIT
TRT: 08:48
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 14 JANUARY 2026 ADRE AND FARCHANA, CHAD
14 JANUARY 2026, ADRE, CHAD
1. Various shots, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih and officials walking through hosting areas
2. Various shots, people looking on, trucks at border, Salih talking to officials, newly arrived refugees, reception center
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“I'm standing at this border because it marks the line between life and death for thousands of people. This conflict in Sudan is truly tragic, heart wrenching. It has been going on for far too long. Over 1000 days so far. It has caused immense suffering, abuse, murder and displacement of millions of people. Since April 2023 Nearly 14 million people have been displaced, 2 million have returned back to precarious situations and the rest are internally displaced, 4.6 million of whom are refugees. They're coming across the border in order to seek refuge. Chad is offering them refuge and has kept the borders open for these desperate people as they seek safety and protection. A sign of generosity and humanity of this country that should be appreciated.”
4. Various shots, Salih meeting refugees, women break down in meeting
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“The horrors they talk about are truly, truly, painful. I would say even shameful, that the world in the21st century can tolerate this situation to continue. I talked to women who have been abused, raped, people whose parents have been killed, children have disappeared. It is just a calamity.”
14 JANUARY 2026 FARCHANA, CHAD
6. Various shots, refugees at digital learning center, Salih briefed by trainers
14 JANUARY 2026, ADRE, CHAD
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“I call upon the world to really act, to bring this conflict to an end. This should not be allowed. This should not be allowed to continue. We, as UNHCR and for that matter, to other international aid agencies, are doing our best in order to deal with the needs of the people who are fleeing.”
14 JANUARY 2026 FARCHANA, CHAD
8. Various shots, Salih in farm run by a cooperative where refugees and hosts grow food together
14 JANUARY 2026, ADRE, CHAD
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“A lot of good work has been done as well, one has to recognize, but it is nowhere near what isneeded. One in every three families that need shelter can only be accommodated in that sense ofthe word. Two thirds of those who need shelter are without shelter. People who need medicalattention, certainly on psychological and mental issues - very limited capabilities that is there.Water is in very limited supply. Only 10 litres per day per person is assured far below the emergency rate. This should nothappen. So, my hope is that we, our collective efforts, our shared humanity, will compel us to dobetter. Dealing with the needs of the population.”
14 JANUARY 2026 FARCHANA, CHAD
10. Various shots, Salih meeting refugees and Chadian locals from farming cooperative
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, today (15 Jan) underscored the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and protection for people fleeing the brutal war in Sudan, and for greater support for refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity.
During his first official overseas trip as High Commissioner, Salih met Sudanese refugee families who had fled the vicious fighting in Darfur only days earlier; many had been displaced multiple times since the conflict began.
They described years of violent attacks and human rights abuses. Salih spoke with women who had been raped, and to people whose parents had been killed, arriving in Chad with only what they could carry and the hope of safety.
Since April 2023, more than 900,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in eastern Chad, with new arrivals every day.
Sudan is now the world’s largest and most devastating displacement crisis, with 12 million people currently displaced, including more than 4.3 million refugees across the region.
Salih made a strong plea for the international community to make every effort to bring peace to Sudan, paving the way for refugees to return home.
UNHCR continues to support the life-saving response in this part of Chad, but conditions in refugee settlements remain harsh, impacted by the dwindling funding.
Many families lack shelter, water supplies are far below emergency standards, and overcrowded sanitation facilities pose increasing health risks.
Trauma levels are high and mental health support reaches only a fraction of those in need, while many children remain out of school.
Salih visited programmes that build self-reliance for both refugees and host communities. In Iridimi, he spoke to refugee learners acquiring digital and language skills to support their education and access the job market.
In Farchana, he visited market gardens where refugees and host communities grow and sell crops together.
In Abeche, he met a group of lawyers, doctors and teachers displaced from Sudan who are now able to practise their professions in Chad.
Despite its challenges, Chad continues to uphold international protection and provide access to asylum at scale.
Salih met President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena, and reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting refugees and host communities alongside the Government, paying tribute to communities that have generously welcomed refugees despite economic hardship and environmental pressures.
Furthermore, Salih reiterated UNHCR’s readiness to work with the Government and all other stakeholders to implement the Integrated Settlement Approach, through which services are established or enhanced for both refugees and host communities, and economic opportunities are shared.
