The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Chad to witness firsthand the impact of the conflict in Sudan, especially on women and girls. She is the first member of the royal family to visit Chad

As a global champion of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and a supporter of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Chad to witness firsthand the impact of the conflict in Sudan, particularly on women and girls, and to help draw attention to the deteriorating situation which is impacting Chad and the wider region.

The 18-month conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with nearly 11 million people forced to flee the violence in search of safety, including to neighbouring countries. As a result of the ongoing conflict, over 820,000 refugees and returnees have travelled to Chad, 87% of whom are women and girls.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness travelled to Adré, a town 400 metres from the border with Sudan, which is currently seeing approximately 400 new arrivals from Sudan per day.

At the border registration point for refugees, The Duchess met humanitarian workers from UNICEF, UNHCR, Chad’s National Commission for the Reception and Reintegration of Refugees and Returnees, Chadian Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières to hear about their role in supporting, registering and relocating refugees fleeing the conflict.

Her Royal Highness met refugees, including women and children, who had recently fled Sudan.

At Adré District Hospital, The Duchess visited the newly established Integrated Multisectoral Services Centre, supported by UNICEF, a centre focused on providing holistic care to survivors of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.

Her Royal Highness had the chance to speak with hospital staff and survivors about how agencies work together to support them.

While at Adré District Hospital, The Duchess also spoke with representatives from the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network and Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG). Her Royal Highness heard how the two grassroots organisations are supporting affected communities, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

Before departing Adré, The Duchess visited mobile protection units run by Plan International and funded by the UK. Joined by young teenagers who have recently arrived in Chad, Her Royal Highness heard how the project provides safe learning spaces and vital child protection services for children of all ages on arrival in Adré.

Whilst in Chad’s capital N’Djamena, The Duchess was received by the Prime Minister.

The Duchess also met with local and regional civil society organisations, UN agencies and women-led organisations progressing women’s empowerment and delivering for women in Chad.