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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617 Comments
Guli- Love ouzo! My posts still haven’t appeared, all 3 with the east news link never appeared. Weird :evil:
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J.H. Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm - flag comment
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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I have no doubt Oprah would turn her back to you and your hateful *** for tat comparing. IT’s not what Oprah or Angelina are about or the rest doint anything and surely more than you who dont do nothing but attempt to cause devision. People like you is what makes the world harder to get along more than anyone, people who try to divide even them trying to help long term and short term. People hungry now, women getting raped now, babys dieing now, dont you realize that.
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?
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yes, she probably alredy left Chad.
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susie Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:42 pm - flag comment
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
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susie Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 9:50 pm - flag comment
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
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I found them!!! I have no idea whats going on.
Susie I found you posts and copied them to show you and poof, my post didn’t show! AARRHHGGGG!
Kearnie,kk1 –ITA and # GB to AJ and the rest how true, seeing your kids happy is the biggest joy to a mother and IMO grandma/pa Pitt know their son found the happiness he deserves and with such an amazing mmulti-dimensional great human being…
Sheri-we will call this the practice run, OK :lol: We will have many other occasions, such as the opening of O13 in May before Shi’s bday…
BTW- can someone tell me if AMH is just Plan B/Brad production or is it a mess like the Departed ie. multiple producers and our Bradley doesn’t get credited again, since I am sure its going to be an excellent but very sad movie?
She looks GORGEOUS as always and SHE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HEART!
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guli Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:20 pm - flag comment
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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Guli - Thanks for the link..these are the most photos that I have seen on the girl’s day out. Gramma Pitt must be enjoying helping out her son with the babies that he wanted for so long. She has to be so happy to see her son attain the dreams he had the courage to follow. I am proud of the Jolie Pitts that they live life on their terms, and look like they are loving every minute of it.
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J.H. Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm - flag comment
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So are you trying to say that everyday people like myself and others, who don’t have millions. Contributions don’t count?
Please go pick up a book and learn something before posting and showing how ignorant you really are. It’s NOT about how much you give to your fellow man. It’s about trying to help even if it’s nothing but a few dollars here or there. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor!
Hi everyone.
Guli, Sheri, Susie- am I too late for the party? I have a passion fruit smoothie by my bedside. :)
I’m loving all the news coming from this family right now. Visits from grandma, the sisters in double stroller walks and Angelina’s continuing commitment to her refugee work. Hope Brad has a nice suprise for her when she gets home!
Guli practice makes perfect. When is the opening of O13? They are debuting in Cannes correct? Or was that just a possibility. So much information to keep track of. I’m going to need a seperate BAMZS daytimer! LOL
Izzie- tahnk you for defending the family. I have never looked at other sites posts because everyone says they are evil and racist. I don’t know how anyone could ever say mean things about children, that is sick beyond belief. Thank you again for “drunk blogging” (he hee)
Sheri- your posts got eaten too? :evil:
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guli Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:20 pm - flag comment
oops having major problems posting. lets see if this goes thru.
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Guli - Thanks for the link. When I replied before with the link, my comment disappeared. This link had the most photos of the girl’s day out with Grammy. Brad’s Mom must be thrilled for her son to have finally realized his dream of having babies.
So glad to see the JP’s living their life on their terms and loving it.
Nice talking tonite…gotta work in the a.m. - hope to see you here again soon. Take care.
RE: Oprah comparison …
If memory serves me, it was Bono (then Ms. Jolie) that brought an “international” spotlight on countries like Africa. I happen to see Oprah’s show last night about, her new school, and I “applaud” her for all that she has done with her wealth. Not to mention, Bill & Melinda Gates. Now, just imagine if how much good all of their money could do if THEY gave 1/3 of thier earnings to the “various” organizations supported by Ms. Jolie’s income (compared to thiers).
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bermy girl Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:54 pm - flag comment
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Mmmm Passion Fruit Smoothie! Never too late to party! Although we are calling this a practice session! Theres a lot more to celebrate in May, Shilohs 1st Birthday, and the O13 opening which I have no idea when that is.
Hope all is well with you. Please thank your husband for putting the witch hunt that was here a week ago into perspective. I loved that post! You throwing out JJ jagon and him looking concerned. Then the two of you laughing! Priceless!
Whatever she’s there for a few hours and then back to her fancy hotel.
What is the UN doing to stop the war?
BCBG– yep and she is in good shape, geez I want to be as agile as JP is at her age, not fair, but she really looks like she is enjoying them.
Susie, I was looking at the shoe lace pic Ulala sent, man that brought back memories. Two of my kids would never keep their shoes or socks on it was a constant battle. I think they were enjoying teasing me, I would have them in their car seat (yep I am NO B.Spears) we’d get to the store and all the shoes and socks were off. Sometimmes I wish they were still that young ;-)
Hiya Briseis, Izzie, Tabitha, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and I know I forgot to mention other good posters but remember I had two glasses of wine so give me a break, you know I mean well, the memory goes out the window just like what I want to do with my computer ;-)
Sheri- where did you find my posts?
bermy- get comfy, a smoothie works just fine. ITA, I love seeing them being able to live like a normal family and just be able to go on a walk. It must be so frustrating for them when they are in LA, 30 paps trying to get the shot! Yech, it must be a horrible feeling to go through that with babies.
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Lucy Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 10:59 pm - flag comment
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Lucy, honestly none of us know what they give. The main thing is they do give. Comparing isn’t fair when we don’t have number or know the reasons. I’m just very happy that more people are stepping up to the plate and doing their best to make the world a better place.
Sorry about the double posts…it’s either the site or the wine…
Susie - I am laughing at your comment to me about “drunk blogging”… could be dangerous to my health…especially the part about going over to the Evil Sea of Perez.
It’s so hard for me to sign off. When I think I’m ready, I get pulled back in…the nature of enjoying JJ’s so much and the ever witty people I find to have a laugh with.
guli -
there are 3 producers for a mighty heart. but i think brad is probably the main one. he is the one on site in india. he is also the one who went to the indian tv and explained the misunderstanding. a mighty heart is under paramount vantage, meaning the unit that produces the artsy film. i am sure it will do very well overseas and also in the usa
I just got through watching Beyond Borders. I had never seen it before. I figured tonight was a good night to watch it.
Susie, post # 110 and #120 quick before they run away!
What else is being served at the party? Just bevs and cheese? I’m hungry, but guessing food is being saved for the big blowout.
I was a lurker for all the other parties, the biggest of which I remember was Brad Liberation Day.
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whatever Says:
February 27th, 2007 at 11:03 pm - flag comment
Whatever she’s there for a few hours and then back to her fancy hotel.
What is the UN doing to stop the war?
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ok then you go and stay in the camp! Oh, since you know so much what hotel is she staying in? Have you been there? Not alot of choices of 5 stars in the area!
The UN is doing more than the US. Any more questions?
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