OlderAngelina Jolie in Chad
During a visit to the Oure-Cassoni camp in eastern Chad, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie listens to refugee women from the Darfur region in Sudan. CLICK HERE to find out why Angelina Jolie is visiting this camp!
UPDATE :: Read Angelina Jolie’s article about “Justice for Darfur.” The first line reads, “Here, at this refugee camp on the border of Sudan, nothing separates us from Darfur but a small stretch of desert and a line on a map.”
Angelina Jolie visits camp in Chad to assess situation for Darfur refugees
By Matthew Conway in Bahai, Chad
BAHAI, Chad, February 27 (UNHCR) – UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie on Tuesday completed a two-day mission to a refugee camp in eastern Chad which enabled her to assess how the security situation has deteriorated for Sudanese refugees since her last visit to Chad three years ago.
Jolie, who visited both Chad and neighbouring Sudan’s Darfur region with UNHCR in 2004, said she was struck by the sense of hope she encountered at the Oure-Cassoni camp near this town and by the widespread desire for peace-keepers to be deployed in Chad.
She also reflected on the hardship and suffering she had seen at the camp, which is located less than five kilometres from the border with Sudan. “It’s always hard to see decent people, families, living in such difficult conditions,” she said. “What is most upsetting is how long it is taking the international community to answer this crisis,” Jolie added.
The award-winning actress had to travel through a sandstorm on Monday to reach the Oure-Cassoni camp, which with a refugee population of more than 26,000 is the northernmost of 12 UNHCR-run camps in eastern Chad housing more than 230,000 refugees from Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.
She was greeted at one of the camp’s many primary schools by singing children as the desert wind whipped against the plastic sheeting serving as the structure’s roof and walls. The encroaching sands and storms make their hard life even tougher, with many of the tents and mud-brick houses partially or completely buried. Wood for cooking and heat is scarce in the region, and competition for the resource causes friction between the refugee and local populations.
Refugee women are sometimes sexually and physically abused while out collecting the precious scraps of firewood beyond the protection of police provided by the Chadian government to help ensure refugee security.
At the school, Jolie listened to children’s tales of daily life, their concerns and their hopes of one day returning to their homes in Darfur. The room was filled with laughter as she and the children took turns drawing for each other. She later visited mentally ill refugees.
On Tuesday, Jolie visited a man-made reservoir that feeds the camp with water, but which is now almost empty following disappointing rains last year. Its shrinking reserves are a matter of concern for the refugees and UNHCR.
She then sat down with a group of women and discussed their desire for access to income-generating activities as well as their longing to return home. But the women, who were preparing celebrations for International Women’s Day on March 8, said it was still not safe enough across the border and many of the refugees she spoke to supported calls for a peace-keeping force in Chad.
In a report last week to the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed sending a multi-dimensional peace-keeping mission to Chad to protect civilians and deter cross-border attacks.
The refugees Jolie talked to also drew comfort from recent radio reports saying that the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) had told the Security Council it had credible evidence of grave crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.
“Today, many refugees seemed to have a new sense of hope, and they want to see those guilty brought to trial . . . In order to feel safe enough to return home, these people said they would need to know that the men who attacked them had been stripped of their weapons,” Jolie said. “This is a very important day for international justice. The decisions of the ICC could make a big difference in the lives of these women and their children.”
Jolie had high praise for the UNHCR staff and NGO workers that she met in the camp. “Years into this situation, now finding themselves coming under attack, humanitarian workers’ spirits are unbroken,” she said.
There are more than 230,000 refugees from Sudan in eastern Chad, while some 46,000 refugees from the Central African Republic have found shelter in southern Chad. In addition to these refugees, close to 120,000 Chadians are displaced in the eastern region of their own country.
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616 Comments
80
guli SAYS:
February 27th, 2007 at 8:52 pm - flag comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ApKymqaWaQ
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It doesn’t matter how many times, I watch clips like these. My heart breaks for each and every person that is suffering. As Angie said when you truly see the suffering that others are going through it makes you realize how bless we are and that we should NOT take anything for granted.
I also raised my sons to volunteer with seniors, Boys and Girls Clubs or at homeless shelters so that can understand that we may not have much. But there was always someone worse off than us. I was raised the same way and I hope that whenever my sons have children they do the same.
I just think about how there would be so much many of us wouldnt be aware of without the Bonos Angelinas Scarletts, Oprah’s. Like these people or not AS people, but please always give them their propers for using the celebrity they’ve been blessed with to shine a light on those who’s plight may not have been known to us so personally as it has since those who didnt have to bring it to our attention chose to.
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jessica Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:04 pm - flag comment
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stranger SAYS:
February 27th, 2007 at 8:52 pm - flag comment
In one of the pics Jane Pitt is actually giving Shiloh a piece of a cracker, but the baby doesn’t seem to be interested.
Maybe she wants just Z’s cracker, no other one will do.
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where can I found this cute pic ?
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http://eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
second row, second pic
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Insider Says:
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go and ask aniston to donate some money. we all know she has 110M. your jen is so CHEAP. She wont even pick up her mother’s living expense. right now, her mother is living in a LA indigent care.
kmillz Says:
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I think that Shiloh will look much like Brad as an adult. He was a “pretty” man when he was younger (much handsomer now to me as he has matured). Brad looks a lot like his mom, and Shiloh also looks like her grandmother Jane Pitt. All three have the same eyes and nose. Shiloh’s bottom lip looks more like Brad’s than Angelina’s to me. Of course this is all a guess based on looking at pixs of a 9 month old baby, LOL.
Angelina always respects the customs and cultures of the people she visits as seen in the pix above. She listens and notes their concerns so that she can accurately convey them. Any intelligent person would take notes to ensure that what one heard in a chaotic situation such as a refugee camp located close to where a war is raging is correct.
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kmillz Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:17 pm - flag comment
Lol @ shiloh looking like she plotting to steal zahara’s cracker. she looks like daddy but she will grow up to look like mama jolie. she has brown hair now
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/lanay7/shiloh_sahara_2.jpg
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So funny. If Angie had been in the photograph she would have been accused of denying her birthed baby in favor of the adopted one!
Insider Says:
Oprah is one of the richest woman on earth. she can give as much money as she wants but is still nothing in comparison to what Angie contributes. Angie has a family to take care of yet still manages to spend time with these refugees, drawing attention to this cause which will help them in the long run. Angie does both by donating money, spend time with them and helping them rebuild their life as she did in Costa Rica. Oprah has no other responsibilities except her career.
Someone wanted the pics of Shi being offered a cracker, my computer is being slow right now but the link is at the end of AJ’s foriegn realtions thread, they are from eastwest news, sp maybe try that site too.
(((Pic of Grandma Jane giving cracker to Shiloh)))
http://eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
Never mind. got the post. Here are the pics with Shiloh being offered a cracker and more of them on their walk.
http://eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
can somebody post the pic of grandma with Z and Shiloh. please… cant view perez hiltons website.
http://brangelinaenespanol.blogspot.com/2007/02/shi-y-z-por-las-calles-de-nueva-orleans.html
Can we just not compare Angie and Oprah? Like one poster said, both are doing great things to help people and both should be applauded for their efforts. Helping is helping, no matter the methods used.
GB to AJ and the rest Says:
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Too true. Some folks are really stretching and desperately searching for any reason to vent something negative and critical where Angelina is concerned. The pixs of the beautiful baby girls were a bitter pill, but to see grandmom Jane Pitt loving her granddaughters has driven some over the edge. Remember, some of the deluded its still think that Jane Pitt communicates on a regular basis with _____ even after _____ went negative on Jane Pitt’s son in a misguided attempt to make his life miserable. Jane Pitt loves her son, wants him happy, and sees how happy he is now. _____ does not know and cannot relate to how a mother feels about her children because she has no children.
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JSmith Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:37 pm - flag comment
Insider Says:
Oprah is one of the richest woman on earth. she can give as much money as she wants but is still nothing in comparison to what Angie contributes. Angie has a family to take care of yet still manages to spend time with these refugees, drawing attention to this cause which will help them in the long run. Angie does both by donating money, spend time with them and helping them rebuild their life as she did in Costa Rica. Oprah has no other responsibilities except her career.
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I despise it when people compare others. The people at the otherend dont care if it is a personal hand is extended, or if it comes throught other channels. Its not right. Until the critic can criticize with a straight face, they shouldnt be keeping tabs on what the THINK another is doing or not. I love Angie and I think she would agree.
I posted the link for the pictures of the girls and it dissapeared.
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Lady G Says:
I also raised my sons to volunteer with seniors, Boys and Girls Clubs or at homeless shelters so that can understand that we may not have much. But there was always someone worse off than us. I was raised the same way and I hope that whenever my sons have children they do the same.
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I also took my kids to volunteer at the soup kitchen (St. Vincent de Paul). I feel they’ll appreciate how fortunate they are to be in the land of plenty. I think this is a good way for them to stay grounded, to work hard, and to appreciate the blessings. It also looks good on the application when they apply for school.
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guli -
it’s good to learn that Z is going to a play group. i know both brad and angie are good parents.
More power to Angelina Jolie. All that she’s doing for the poorest, most oppressed people in the world is commendable. Good luck and Godspeed Angelina. I’ll always pray for your safety.
http://i18.tinypic.com/44in11k.jpg
Shiloh pulling her shoe.
I hope this one posts. I’m trying for the third time. Pics of the girls where Shi gets offered a cracker.
http://eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
Ulala Says:
Thanks for that pix. Shiloh seems to be a very active baby with an emerging strong personality (how can she not be with Angelina as her mother). Something tells me that little miss Zee and little miss Shiloh will rule the Jolie-Pitt household.
Can we just not compare Angie and Oprah? Like one poster said, both are doing great things to help people and both should be applauded for their efforts. Helping is helping, no matter the methods used.
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I agree, all people who dedicates their time and money to help people are good in my book. I don’t care if is Oprah, Angie, Ashley Judd, Scarlett, Bono..etc.
oh, i love the pic of Shi pulling the shoe lace.
thank you for the pic.
Shoot, I lost my post when I switched from one computer to another. It probably will appear soon, but here is the link when grandma offers Shi crackers right after Z gets hers …I know I have bigger pics somewhere, I’ll find it.
http://www.eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
Lagy G-ITA, it just breaks your heart to see so many people living under these circumstances. Thanks to people like Angie, Bono and others at least it wakes us up and make us thank our lucky stars instead of complaining about small trivial things to do something to help out. My sons always worked for habitat for humanity when they were in high school, now they are hooked and continue it.
KT22— ITA, that is the whole point to bring attention and she does it so well.
Hiya KK1,kmillz, vanessa,GB to AJ and the rest, hello I am trying to catch up.
Sheri and Izzie, I am on my second glass, hey Susie are you on your second glass of water yet :lol: This is a pseudo-party since we didn’t really let everyone know in advance, just wait till May27th I’ll be joining in from Turkey:lol:
AG-where are you, sure miss you, I left you a post at the other thread and a message, join us with your insightful and very humorous posts.
Estelle are you back yet?
109
Mr. and Mrs. Smith Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:45 pm - flag comment
117
bluemoon Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:54 pm - flag comment
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ITA
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