Fatma Tanis

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad, where they're facing increasingly difficult conditions as their presence strains local resources and humanitarian aid organizations.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled civil war and are crossing into Chad for safety. At the border, we hear from people — mostly women — on what they've seen and experienced that forced them to leave.

The refugees escaping the civil war in Sudan recount the violence which took the lives of many men and boys. That violence, they say, was directed towards those of particular tribes and skin colors.

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese, fleeing civil war, arrive in Chad hoping for safety and food. What they find, however, is there just isn't much food.

The civil war in Sudan has caused the largest displacement crisis in the world. More than 10 million people have fled their homes.

Awatif Zakariya Ahmad crossed into Chad on September 20, 2024, her five children in tow. All their belongings were in a bag she balanced on her head and a smaller one in her hand.

Abrar Saleh Ali, 17, arrived at the Milé refugee camp in Eastern Chad in early September, after the civil war in Sudan destroyed her home and she was separated from her family. (Her dad had died earlier from an illness.) It took months for her to walk across the country and reach the camp. Along the way she was robbed of all her belongings and found out that her sister had been killed.

Mahamat Djouma, 14, fled the war in Sudan without parents; his mother died in 2023 and his father subsequently disappeared. He came with 5-year-old twin brothers, whom he now cares for. Entesar, a 21-year-old student, also fled to escape the violence -- and was raped by three soldiers. She asked to be identified by her middle name since she has not yet told close family members about the attack.

Mahamat Djouma, 14, fled the war in Sudan without parents; his mother died in 2023 and his father subsequently disappeared. He came with 5-year-old twin brothers, whom he now cares for. Entesar, a 21-year-old student, also fled to escape the violence -- and was raped by three soldiers. She asked to be identified by her middle name since she has not yet told close family members about the attack.

When I meet him, 14-year-old Mahamat Djouma is doing what many teenagers do in their spare time: dribbling a soccer ball with his foot.