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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I really feel Jane and her husband got a shocker when it finally did hit them that Brad’s Angie is a real life lesson in learning how you cant judge the book until you read it. Angie heart and truth about herself proved out over what they saw on the outside in the media and such and by her own mouth at times. I wont presume to know Mr & Mrs Pitts mindset about the past now but my gut saying that they finally after how they see Brad experience life now, they have seen the past more clearly and not through even the rose colored lensess they child once did maybe. You see some joy on Brad’s moms face and that got to count for something and it is telling some truths no matter how some dont want it to.
Ulala Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:49 pm - flag comment
http://i18.tinypic.com/44in11k.jpg
Shiloh pulling her shoe
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baby Shi is telling the papzers, “hey, look what i can do” hehe
I think Shiloh looks like both of her parents. I don’t think she favors one over the the other.
Did anyone see the Oprah special last night? She built a school in South Africe for girls, 10-12 years olds who show exceptional leadership characteristics and academic performance. She has made a commitment to educate these girls from 7th grade through college! Now that is someone who is making a difference for a Nation. What change actually comes out of AJ visits? Increase in knowledge of the unfortunate…..well they can’t eat that or take it to the bank. AJ please quit jet setting and picture taking and actually DO SOMETHING if you have the financial resources!! OPRAH you are a HERO!!!
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Ulala Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:49 pm - flag comment
http://i18.tinypic.com/44in11k.jpg
Shiloh pulling her shoe.
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I love that picture. It’s just the cutest. She’s discovering how to use her fingers. Her expression is like look at what I can do and Z’s expression is like, been there, done that.
Hadn’t seen the Shiloh shoelace-pulling picture–cute! She has Angie’s beautiful widely-spaced eyes and is looking more like her mother all the time.
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bigger pics of Shi & cracker Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:44 pm - flag comment
http://brangelinaenespanol.blogspot.com/2007/02/shi-y-z-por-las-calles-de-nueva-orleans.html
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Thank you for the pic. so cute and touchy. I bet Jane Pitt never expect she’s gonna have these beautiful granddaughters. she seems to be enjoying her time with Brad and Angie’s babies.
Sorry folks, just like Sherie I got stuck on the phone with my aunt. Plus I lost 3 posts. OK, here are the grandma cracker pics where she gives Z and than offers to Shi I have larger ones somewhere.
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Ulala Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:49 pm - flag comment
http://i18.tinypic.com/44in11k.jpg
Shiloh pulling her shoe
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So cute. She’s aware of the razzie. while Zahara was cool and more used to it.
oops having major problems posting. lets see if this goes thru.
http://www.eastnews.com.pl/news/wyniki.php?fraza=brad%20pitt&strona=1
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J.H. Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm - flag comment
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You know what, believe what you want to believe and criticize Angie all you want, whatever. Just remember that you are very narrow minded and could use some time to educate yourself on matters you don’t clearly know anything about.
Oprah is fifty years old. She traveled many times to Africa before starting this school. Was she just having a photo shoot? Did her appearance mean nothing? Your point are stupid and say more about your ability to see the bigger picture. Maybe you should take a clue from Oprah and be thankful to all people who try and help their fellow human beings.
One more thing. How do you know what Angelina’s appearance means to those refugees.
Guli- I tried to post that east news link 3 times and it wouldn’t go up. I’m glad you got it up as it has some cute pics. I just finished my hot chocolate. How is your wine going?
J.H. Says:
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OK, it’s obvious you don’t know about the large amount of money Angelina has donated by herself over the years (Bill O’Reilly on Fox documented that she did), and the millions she and Brad have now donated through the Jolie Pitt Fondation. Please take the time in the future to educate yourself about an issue/subject/people before you open your mouth and put your foot in it. Ignorance is no defense when knowledge is readily available.
Guli, Susie I had my second glass and the wine is away! Guli this can just be one of our tastings. We really have to have a blow out in May!
I still say the thread is haunted! Things appear, disapear…
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J.H. Says:
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Raising awareness is important. A lot of times, many world projects require funding. The UN is always short on funding. Many different projects ask for assistance. But with Angie’s press coverage, it may make the refugee camp easier to get more funding or at least the UN will NOT CUT funding . I am sure there will be more allocation of resources to these camps in the future.
This is not an easy solution. You cant expect the refugee problem to go away in 1 year or even in 5 years. You remember, when Angie visited the Costa Rica bakery, it is a testament of how successful the “micro credit ” program is. So, for what Angie does, it does lead to result.
You cant use Oprah’s school as a standard to measure how successful Angie’s UN work is. Oprah has a different approach. Angie has hers. Both are doing things to help.
Angie does give 1/3 of her income to charity.
I
Well Susie, you and I are both having problems posting, but all of mine appeared after awhile so will yours. I am on my seocnd and final glass i need to wake up early. If TP was around I’d be in trouble she always offers me Ouzos and they knock me out :-)
Ulala- than you for that link, so cute…
Sorry folks for duplicate posts. I am switching to my sons computer which is much faster. BRB….
kk1 - ITA
And contrary to what they say, ignorance is NOT bliss. Sometimes, it is just a liability and not worth it.
I think they (Angelina and whomever is travelling with her) must have left Chad and are on their way home. UNHCR does not post info on their website until it is safe to do so. I think Chad time is what 12-14 hours ahead at least of US time. Anybody know what the time difference is?
# GB to AJ and the rest Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:03 pm - flag comment
I really feel Jane and her husband got a shocker when it finally did hit them that Brad’s Angie is a real life lesson in learning how you cant judge the book until you read it. Angie heart and truth about herself proved out over what they saw on the outside in the media and such and by her own mouth at times. I wont presume to know Mr & Mrs Pitts mindset about the past now but my gut saying that they finally after how they see Brad experience life now, they have seen the past more clearly and not through even the rose colored lensess they child once did maybe. You see some joy on Brad’s moms face and that got to count for something and it is telling some truths no matter how some dont want it to.
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(((((((((((Great post)))))))))))))
141
BCBG Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:32 pm - flag comment
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Very well said! Different things work in different parts of the world. Everyone who contributes time, money, or other resources is helping.
guli -
did you notice, grandma is bending at 90 degrees???
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kearnie Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:34 pm - flag comment
# GB to AJ and the rest Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:03 pm - flag comment
I wont presume to know Mr & Mrs Pitts mindset about the past now but my gut saying that they finally after how they see Brad experience life now, they have seen the past more clearly and not through even the rose colored lensess they child once did maybe. You see some joy on Brad’s moms face and that got to count for something and it is telling some truths no matter how some dont want it to.
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ITA.
140
Sheri Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:29 pm - flag comment
Guli, Susie I had my second glass and the wine is away! Guli this can just be one of our tastings. We really have to have a blow out in May!
I still say the thread is haunted! Things appear, disapear…
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Hey there Guli, Susie and Sheri - We will put out reminders for sweet Shiloh’s 1st Birthday in May. We can all sing to her, like we did for Z.
Well, my second glass of wine went down smoooooth….so smooooooth that I wondered over to the evil Sea of Perez to comment on the photos of Shi and Z. With almost two glasses of my Pinot in me, I just let those ignorant bigots have a piece of my mind, without lowering myself to their level. I noticed that Dirty Denise was over there defending our family also. Thank God for this blogger named “edumacated” that was there a year ago defending our family and he is still there. I thanked him for his diligence, but had to leave the other idiots behind.
Going over there just makes me appreciate JJ and the fan base over here!
Hope this doesn’t disappear….
Maria!!!
I hope you are still posting/lurking! How are you, girl? I was posting this morning, then I had to go catch me some shuteye. Now I am at work, and blogging in between my actual work (how I hate it when work comes in between lurking/posting) and I found your shout-out to me.
I missed you and your insightful/funny posts. I wish you would post again, just ignore whom you don’t like/don’t agree with. I know it can be exhausting, but Jared’s is also exhilarating in its own way with the diversity/different personalities we encounter all the time, all in the name of the Jolie-Pitts.
Wow, reading all the above posts re Angie’s UNHCR activites make me so in awe of this 31 year old. And the fact that she is inspiring all the other actresses/celebrities to do good too, is beyond awesome. No wonder Brad looks so content — he has his baby girl, and such an incomparable baby momma. I betcha he can’t even remember the kind of life he had with the _. To all those delusional fanistons still hoping he would wake up one day, cart Shiloh along and go back to the _, boy, if you believe that I have a bridge I want to sell you.
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