In a poignant display of compassion, Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh recently made headlines during her groundbreaking visit to Chad, becoming the first royal family member to set foot in the Central African nation.
Her trip, which spanned three days, included a heart-wrenching encounter with refugees fleeing the devastating civil war in Sudan.
While in Chad, the Duchess was visibly affected by the harrowing stories shared by survivors of conflict-related sual violence.
As she listened to their accounts, it became clear that the emotional weight of their experiences was overwhelming.
These stories of survival and resilience left Sophie in tears, highlighting the profound impact of her visit.
At a hospital center in Adra, close to the Sudanese border, Sophie embraced five women who had suffered unimaginable trauma.
It was here that the full extent of the crisis became apparent.
The Duchess spoke candidly to the media afterward, expressing her shock at the brutal realities faced by these women.
“People are forced to trade food and water for s and rape,” she lamented, emphasizing the horrific nature of violence as a weapon of war.
The situation is dire; many women and children have no choice but to flee their homes, often facing the threat of death if they attempt to leave.
One survivor recounted her escape from El Geni Inna in West Darfur, where her family was in constant danger.
“We were threatened with death and rape if we left,” she shared, painting a vivid picture of the fear that grips those caught in conflict.
Sophie’s visit began in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, where she arrived on Saturday before embarking on a challenging journey to Farkhana.
From there, a military convoy escorted her across rugged terrain to Adra, home to over 220,000 refugees, predominantly women and children.
This camp serves as a temporary sanctuary for those fleeing the violent clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that erupted in April 2023.
During her time in the camp, the Duchess also engaged with Plan International, an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable children in such dire circumstances.
She observed their mobile protection units, which strive to identify and assist children in need within the refugee camps, further underscoring her commitment to humanitarian efforts.
The emotional toll of her encounters was evident, as Sophie admitted to feeling “very shaken” after hearing the women’s devastating stories.
As a mother herself, with two children of her own, the Duchess could not help but empathize deeply with the plight of these families torn apart by violence.
Her visit not only aimed to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis but also to support the UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda, alongside the UK’s Preventing sual Violence in Conflict initiative.
By shining a light on these issues, Sophie hopes to foster greater understanding and action towards alleviating the suffering of those affected.
This visit marks a significant moment for the royal family, as it brings attention to a humanitarian crisis that often goes unnoticed.
