ShelterBox responds to crisis in Sudan

Media Contact: Jeremy Jacobs, Communications Director, [email protected]

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Global disaster relief organization ShelterBox is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Africa caused by the conflict in Sudan, sending an emergency response team to neighboring Chad where at least 90,000 refugees have fled.  

ShelterBox, a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter and life-saving supplies in disaster and conflict areas around the world, will meet with local partners and assess the greatest needs and logistical challenges of a response.   

Long-simmering tensions between Sudan’s military and primary paramilitary force erupted into widespread violence on April 15 that continues through today and shows no signs of letting it up. It has forced more than 1 million people from their homes so far. 

“We are deeply concerned about the unrelenting violence in Sudan,” said Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox USA, which is based in Santa Barbara. “This is a crisis on top of another crisis. Chad already had extremely high humanitarian needs. This new influx of refugees – the vast majority of which are women and children – will further strain the region. ShelterBox is working as fast as possible to assess the greatest needs and how we may be able to help.” 

Many of the displaced Sudanese have sought to flee Sudan, including at least 90,000 refugees who have crossed its Western border into Chad. That number is expected to rise to 100,000 by the end of May. 

Nearly 90% of the new refugees entering Chad are women and children, and few have adequate access to shelter, according to recent reports. Other needs include items like water carriers, mosquito nets, and soap. 

The new influx of refugees into Chad adds to an existing 600,000 refugees already in the country after fleeing violence, making the needs extraordinarily high. Of those, 400,000 are estimated to be Sudanese.  

Currently there are not enough emergency shelter providers in the country, and insufficient funding for the needed response. 

ShelterBox has worked in Chad and Sudan previously. In 2018, it provided shelter and other essential items to more than 16,000 people in response to ongoing conflict. 

Two years later, ShelterBox responded to flooding in Sudan, helping more than 5,500 people by providing essential shelter supplies. 

ShelterBox has extensive experience responding in Africa and in conflict zones. It currently also has programs in Ukraine, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Cameroon, among others.  

About ShelterBox 

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter and life-saving items following more than 300 disasters in nearly 100 countries. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflicts. It works with local partners and individuals to customize each response, which can include a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. ShelterBox was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019. ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara, California.