Refugees International: Reports: Visual Mission: Courage and Strength in the Women of Darfur

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Visual Mission: Courage and Strength in the Women of Darfur

The violence in Darfur has increased to alarming levels in the last few months with untold numbers of people killed or displaced. Still, the displaced women in Darfur continue to overcome numerous obstacles in their efforts to earn income, feed their families, raise their children and support each other. Below are a few of the women that Refugees International has met in Darfur who continue to inspire us to push for an end to this conflict.

As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers remains uncertain, Refugees International believes that the US and international community must reinvigorate their attempts to urge all warring parties to find a negotiated solution to the conflict, while setting firm deadlines for these diplomatic efforts, backed by credible capacity to use force to protect civilians. Women, who have born the brunt of the conflict and comprise the vast majority of the displaced, are also a tremendous resource for peace. Women should be included in all efforts to resolve the conflict in Darfur.

Darfur 2006: Displaced Girls Weave Baskets

Photo Credit: Refugees International/ Megan Fowler
07/14/2006
Two sisters weave baskets in their shelter in Otash Camp in South Darfur. Their family will try to sell these baskets in a nearby market to earn money to buy additional food, cooking equipment, and other necessities. These girls have lived in this camp for internally displaced people since they were forced from their homes two years ago. They and their family are relatively safe from the ongoing violence in Darfur when they are inside the camp, but when they leave the camp to collect firewood for cooking or materials for their baskets, they are at risk of being attacked. These girls’ mother informed Refugees International that Janjaweed militia had tried to attack her when she went outside to collect firewood the day before this photo was taken. She escaped that day, but the two-hour walk outside the camp continues to be dangerous for her and all the women in the camp.

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Darfur 2006: Displaced Girls Collect Firewood in Gereida

Darfur 2006: Displaced Woman Mourns Her Husband

Darfur 2006: Women Leaders Tackle Problems in Kalma Camp

Darfur 2006: Displaced Mother Struggles to Raise Seven Children

Darfur 2006: Darfurian Women Help Others

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Southern India 2003- Tamil refugees Gathering Water

There is a severe scarcity of water in many areas of Tamilnadu state. Here, refugees line up their utensils to collect as much water as possible during the short time it is available.

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