Thuraya, a Sudanese refugee mother of four in Chad.
Thuraya is a Sudanese refugee mother living in Chad. “I have 4 kids, all of them are girls,” she shares, a mother determined to provide for her daughters despite the difficult circumstances they face. Her oldest daughter is just 6 years old. Thuraya is divorced and lives in the Kouchaguine-Moura refugee camp, which has become her home as she seeks refuge from the turmoil in Sudan.
In the past, the camp had access to water, a lifeline for survival. “We had access to water in this camp before…” she recalls, but that has changed. Now, the water that once flowed freely is no longer available, and Thuraya is forced to walk to the valley with her children to collect it.
The situation has worsened with the added burden of having to pay for the water they desperately need. “We have to pay for it, and we don’t have enough money,” Thuraya says, revealing the financial strain that compounds their daily struggle. To make ends meet, the family has to alternate between working to earn money and fetching water. “On one day we go to work so we could buy what we need… On another day we walk to the water well to bring water.”
Thuraya’s story reflects a broader issue faced by many refugees in Chad, where resources are limited, and basic needs like water are often out of reach. Access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is recognized as a human right by the UN Human Rights Council, but for Thuraya and many others in the refugee camp, this right is not being fulfilled. Thuraya’s story is a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by refugees in Chad, where access to clean water is not guaranteed, and families like hers are left to endure the consequences of this deprivation.
Chad hosts 1.3 million displaced people, including 600,000 refugees fleeing violence in Sudan, 89% of whom are women and children. These refugees endure harsh conditions, with limited access to water, receiving only 7 liters per person daily instead of the standard 20 liters. UNHCR’s Sadaqah Jariyah programme is working to bridge this gap by providing sustainable water solutions, and healthcare.
Thanks to Zakat and Sadaqah funds, UNHCR was able to support 28,800 displaced families – some 139,00 people – in Chad in 2024.
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