African Refugees Need Help

There are an estimated 24 million refugees displaced from their homes worldwide and 15 million of those refugees are in Africa. Millions of Africans have been forced from their homes by civil wars and internal conflicts, falling victim to warehousing, being confined to unsanitary camps where their human rights are denied or ignored and they have no chance of regaining the livelihood they once had, completely dependent on humanitarian assistance.

In November 2008, the African Union declared the number of displaced was only increasing probably because of escalating conflicts in Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Almost 400,000 refugees live in encampments across Sudan's western border in Chad. The huge surge of displaced people and family puts a heavy social and economic strain on the host countries, but more so is the strain on the livelihood of these refugees. UNICEF and the UN News Centre has reported the living conditions in refugee camps as dismal with an incredible amount of women being beaten and raped. The World Health Organization estimated thousands dying from starvation and minor curable diseases.

Rosamond Bakari reported that Sadako Ogata, head of the Office of the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees emphasized that it is vital the international community become more involved in resolving the plight of Africa's refugees. Ogata the critical condition of refugees is a "sobering reminder of the international community's continuing failure to prevent prejudice, persecution, poverty and other root causes of conflict and displacement". According to Ogata, if the problem is not addressed it will only cause more conflict in war-ridden areas.

Refugees need more help, plain and simple. The International Rescue Committee and Africare are both organizations that raise money to give emergency aid to those in refugee encampments. International Rescue Committee goes to areas torn apart by crisis and conflict to rebuild and give hope, leading refugees from "harm to home". Not only can you donate, but you can buy merchandise that financially fuel the displaced, and you can apply for jobs and volunteer opportunities to be involved firsthand with the rebuilding of homes.

Organizations like these not only give refugees clean water and warm meals, but help them get back into their homes and back onto their feet. One of the basic human needs are shelter and stability and if not provided people will begin to fight to get that, causing more problems. It is critical that the international community not only help those displaced by conflict, disease, and political chaos while they are in refugee camps, but go above and beyond to make sure they are safe, fed, and free from disease. Then aid must continue to help refugees rebuild their homes and get back to their normal lives.

Bakari, Rosamond. "African refugees must get more help." 2001. UN.org. .

Nagpal, Sahil. "African Union: Number of internally displaced in Africa increasing." 21 November 2008. Top News. .