In order to earn income and create more permanent homes in the Abu Shouk IDP camp, displaced people use kilns to make bricks. |
| “People live day-by-day, trying to maintain their existence in an environment where there is very little to offer hope,” says Eddie Carwardine, senior communications officer for UNICEF’s Sudan office. “People try to earn an income driving taxis to and from the main towns near camps, making bricks or trading. They try to hold their families together … facing each day as it comes.” |
These boys live in the Mornei IDP camp in west Darfur. |
This boy survived attacks in the town of Kidanir, Darfur, where his teachers and fellow students were killed. |
Children at a school in north Darfur strive to learn despite their malnourished state. Books are scarce, and some classes have up to 99 students in a building that is damaged. |
| People arriving at the camps have survived many traumas – violent attacks, rape and seeing their loved ones beaten or killed. Some have been displaced multiple times due to repeated attacks. Carwardine explains, “These camps have been home to many [displaced people] for three or four years, and more arrive every few weeks. In that environment, thinking about the future and prospects for a different life becomes very difficult.” |
Children enjoy a moment of laughter in the Kass IDP camp in south Darfur. |
Twelve-year-old Daoud* is from the region of Korma in north Darfur. “I had only completed first grade at my school in Korma before attacks on my village forced my family to flee to the Abu Shouk camp [for IDPs] in May 2003,” he says.
Daoud is left to do the daily chores while his mother is away at work. He says, “In my spare time, I collect water for my family and take care of my four younger brothers. … I do not have any time to play with my friends.”
In anticipation for life to return to how it was four years ago, Daoud says, “I hope that peace comes, and I am able to [go back] to my home. The worst thing about life in the camp is disease and dirtiness, but the opportunities for education are better. I hope that one day in the future I will become a teacher.”
*name has been changed to protect the child’s identity. |
A boy watches as a WFP helicopter takes off from the isolated town of Fina in south Darfur. Fina had a prewar population of 7,000, which has dramatically increased as people from surrounding areas fled there for safety. |
Boys play outside a WFP helicopter in the town of Fina, south Darfur. WFP has distributed food to more than 5.5 million displaced people in the region. |
| Emmanuel Tom-Rad Kailie, country director of Sudan with ARC, says that displaced people are sustained by the presence of aid organizations. He adds that they have hope for the future, “They believe the crisis will end someday with the intervention of the international community because we are on the ground.” |
World Food Programme
North America office
Two United Nations Plaza
Room DC 2-2500
New York, NY 10017
USA
212.963.8364
wfp.newyork@wfp.org
www.wfp.org
American Refugee Committee (ARC)
430 Oak Grove Street
Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55403
USA
800.875.7060
archq@archq.org
www.arcrelief.org |
US Fund for UNICEF
333 East 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
USA
212.686.5522
information@unicefusa.org
www.unicef.org
www.unicef.org/childalert/darfur/
USA for UNHCR
1775 K Street NW
Suite 290
Washington, DC 20006
USA
800.770.1100
info@usaforunhcr.org
www.unrefugees.org
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