 © UNICEF/ HQ07-0130/Pirozzi Burned and looted homes stand empty in an abandoned village. |
Today we went to what had been the village of Djorlo, population 2,000.
At about 5:00 am last December, the Janjaweed attacked Djorlo from three directions.
The villagers tried to defend their homes with bows and arrows, but were no match for the Janjaweed with their Kalashnikovs.
The entire village was burnt and 48 people were killed.
It's difficult to describe the impact of walking through such mindless destruction. Home after home utterly devastated. In the ashes of Djorlo, we found remnants of everyday life; shattered pots, cooking ware, a blackened bed, charred boxes. Even the clay storage pots had been deliberately smashed to destroy precious food supplies.
After the attack, some of the villagers returned to bury their dead. We found three mass graves.
The survivors of Djorlo are now living in one of the many makeshift camps scattered across eastern Chad.
Aid workers are trying to meet the needs of this increasingly abandoned population. But due to the extreme volatile situation, humanitarian organizations have been forced to scale back in their numbers, severely limiting their capacity to help.
Until some semblance of security can come to this region, even the most basic needs of the people will not be met.
Comments (8)
Mia, seems to be a very active Ambassador - I admire that. She seems to take things to the next level and really get involved.
Keep up the excellent work! :)
Posted by Matt | February 23, 2007 9:08 AM
Posted on February 23, 2007 09:08
I'm beyond glad to have discovered this blog that brings tears to my eyes. No doubt, I'm bookmarking this. Mia: I've always admired you. Despite Hollywood handing you luxury, you go out of your way to ensure the well-being of those less fortunate. Those who are equipped with the means to be influencial in alleviating suffering should do so; then entertainers being overpaid would not be an issue. Keep it up; you're an inspiration.
Posted by Charlotte | March 1, 2007 12:46 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 12:46
I, too, was pleased to find this blog and feel a connection to another part of the world that is so unimaginably different than our comfortable life in Scottsdale, AZ. When we see this (almost) real-time account of something on the news it makes it real. The next step is to pressure our politicians, but is there also a direct way our families (our school communities) could help and know that the help was getting to the right people?
Thank you, Ms. Farrow, for your kind heart and actions.
Posted by Amy | March 2, 2007 8:43 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 08:43
Thanks for all your hard work, Mia. You're incredible. However, I saw you on Bill Maher the other night and he sort of cut you off as you were making a corelation between China and the problems in Africa......could you fill me in on that info? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
Posted by karen mussette | March 3, 2007 7:34 PM
Posted on March 3, 2007 19:34
Amy asked if there is a direct way to help and be sure that one's efforts have an impact on the people who need it most. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF offers an online tool called "Friends Asking Friends" that allows you to set up your own webpage for collecting donations on behalf of UNICEF's emergency response efforts. Setting up a page is a simple 3-step process, and the tool even helps you contact your friends, family and community members once it your page is set up. I encourage you to check it out at http://www.unicefusa.org/ert and let us know if you have any questions (webmaster@unicefusa.org).
Posted by Frank Susa, UNICEF USA | March 5, 2007 1:42 PM
Posted on March 5, 2007 13:42
Hello Karen,
Excellent question and one which I am delighted to answer. Please when you have the time, go to my website miafarrow.org
There you should take a good look at the Wall Street Journal article (written by my son Ronan) "China's Crude Conscience". You will see how China has been financing the genocide in Darfur. Also take a look at my piece in the LAtimes on divestment from these 2 Chinese oil companies.
Thanks for caring.
Best,
Mia
Posted by Mia Farrow | March 7, 2007 9:33 AM
Posted on March 7, 2007 09:33
Dear Mia, my name is Wille Oigman, I am a doctor from Brazil and I met you at Sevilla airport last friday . We were running to get our flights back home. I am very frustated that I could not share with you some opinions I have about your work in Africa. Anyway, I hope you arrived home safely and who knows we can meet again in any part of the world. My sincerely thoughts about your work in Darfur. Wille
Posted by wille oigman | March 10, 2007 9:58 AM
Posted on March 10, 2007 09:58
I just went on your website and your website is very informative and heart wrenching. You are doing remarkable work, Mia, and I will be spreading the word at work as we are currently raising funds for relief efforts for the refugees of Darfur.
Posted by d | April 18, 2007 11:51 PM
Posted on April 18, 2007 23:51