The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, visited Adré on Wednesday, a major crossing point for Sudanese refugees fleeing the civil war that began two years ago.
During the trip, Lahbib confirmed the EU’s financial support as local authorities and international humanitarian partners fear drastic cuts to American aid (USAID) announced by the Trump administration.
The EU has pledged €74.5 million until 2025 to help Chad in its refugee policy amidst the worst security crisis in decades, according to the UN.
The conflict between the Sudanese Army and RSF (Rapid Support Forces) militias, which started in April 2023, has already killed over 20,000 people and displaced more than 15 million, according to the UN.
Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad number over one million, excluding 400,000 refugees from the Darfur crisis two decades ago.
In response, the EU almost doubled its humanitarian aid to Chad, raising it to €56 million in 2023 and €63 million last year. For this region, which includes Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Libya, and Egypt, the EU aid totalled €269 million this year.
Humanitarian PAM's truck pictured on his way to croo border between Chad and Sudan during a visit to the boarder and the HCR entry for refugees, part of a mission regarding the humanitarian crisis in Chad, in Adre, on Wednesday 09 April 2025. Credit: Belga
These funds, which also support UN programmes and major international NGOs, are increasingly crucial as uncertainty looms over US contributions, which constitute nearly half of international humanitarian aid in the region. USAid alone provided $162 million to Chad in 2024.
The Trump administration announced a significant freeze on USAid in late January, with plans for a global reduction. Conflicting statements have since caused uncertainty among partners.
Alongside the European Commissioner, Chad’s Minister of Humanitarian Aid, Zara Mahamat Issa, expressed concerns about potentially losing 50% of these funds, which would be catastrophic for refugees, especially women and children, as well as affected Chadian communities.
"UN agencies are facing a drastic reduction in American aid. We are here to determine how we can assist more effectively and sustainably," said Lahbib, praising Chad’s refugee policy.
Aware that the announced reduction cannot be offset by other global actors, humanitarian agencies on the ground are preparing to scale back their programmes and enhance the pooling of efforts, explained an international official in Adré, who warned anonymously of disastrous domino effects.
Belgian EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib pictured during a visit to the boarder and the HCR entry for refugees, part of a mission regarding the humanitarian crisis in Chad, in Adre, on Wednesday 09 April 2025. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
War victims receive various forms of support, including psychological help. Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib highlighted the "atrocious, inhuman" testimonies she collected during a confidential meeting at the border with female victims of wartime violence.
Other humanitarian workers have raised concerns about the obstacles imposed by Chadian authorities on aid access to neighbouring Sudan. Rising tensions between the two countries have sparked fears of the conflict spilling over.
Politically, the next major event is on 15 April, when Commissioner Lahbib will represent the EU in London at an international conference on the Sudanese war co-organised by the EU, the UK, Germany, and France. "The best response to any humanitarian crisis is, first and foremost, peace," she emphasised.
