On July 21, US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice visited one of CHF International's community centers for internally
displaced people (IDPs) in Sudan's troubled western Darfur province.
She said, "I came here to remind the
world about Darfur."
At CHF's center, Dr. Rice attended a meeting with humanitarian aid organizations and the United Nations.
She thanked the humanitarian community for their hard work and praised their successes in helping Darfur's stricken IDPs: "A year ago, the situation here was more difficult. The efforts you are making have helped."
She also acknowledged the often arduous circumstances experienced by Darfur's aid community, commenting: "I can't stress to you enough how much the people of America and the world admire what you do."
During the meeting, CHF International's Sudan Country Director, Dr. Niaz Murtaza, stressed the "complexity and long-term nature of the problems in Darfur," and "the need for further investment in communities not only to stay alive, but to also assist them in getting back on their own feet."
Following the meeting with the humanitarian community, Dr. Rice discussed women's issues in the camp in a closed meeting with IDP women who are working in CHF's income generation and livelihoods programs. The Darfur conflict has been sadly characterized by exceptional levels of violence against women.
Secretary Rice then toured CHF International's community center, visiting with children at one of CHF's child friendly spaces, and meeting with IDP women working on a pasta-making income generation project, and a fuel efficient stove production project.
CHF International is implementing relief programs in food security, shelter and income-generation/livelihoods in Darfur.
To date, CHF's efforts have benefited over 200,000 IDPs and host community members in Darfur.
The center Secretary Rice visited is one of two CHF community centers in Abu Shouk Camp, which is the temporary home of over 70,000 IDPs. It is located near Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
CHF International's Darfur program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) that organized Secretary Rice's visit.
Founded in 1952, CHF International is a non-profit development organization that serves as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping families improve their economic circumstances, environment and infrastructure. The organization provides technical expertise and leadership in international development, including critical emergency management following disasters and civil conflict. CHF International has worked in over 100 countries worldwide since its inception.
For more information, please contact CHF International's Communications Manager, Jennifer Hyman, at jhyman@chfinternational.org or (301) 587-4700.