Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting between the Sudanese army and the SPLM-North in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, nearly 180,000 of whom have fled into South Sudan. Thousands more continue to cross the border every week.
Near the border in South Sudan sits the two-month old refugee camp of Yusuf Batil. The camp currently hosts 35,000 people who have fled the ongoing violence in Blue Nile.
Near the border in South Sudan sits the two-month old refugee camp of Yusuf Batil. The camp currently hosts 35,000 people who have fled the ongoing violence in Blue Nile.
A young woman at Yusuf Batil refugee camp in South Sudan, wh
“We came to Yusuf Batil to show our solidarity to Blue Nile refugees and to underscore our call for peace,” said Desmond Tutu.
Desmond Tutu shakes hands with a refugee in Yusuf Batil
The Elders arrived at Yusuf Batil just as food distribution started. Thousands of refugees were waiting patiently for two-week family rations of sorghum, yellow split peas, salt and vegetable oil.
Refugees wait patiently for two-week family rations of sorgh
The women then carried these heavy loads across the refugee camp to distribute to their families.
Female refugees carry the heavy loads of rations through the
A young woman took a moment out of her day to show Mary Robinson how to grind sorghum.
Mary Robinson crouches beside a young female refugee at Yusu
Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson and Martti Ahtisaari were deeply impressed by the commitment and professionalism of the humanitarian workers in the camp. In the space of a few weeks, they had launched a vaccination campaign and installed a field hospital, two clinics, and ten rehydration sites.
Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson and Martti Ahtisaari speak to UN
"We came to show our solidarity to Blue Nile refugees and to underscore our call for peace" – Desmond Tutu. As the people of South Sudan celebrated their first year of independence, three Elders travelled to the region to encourage dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan.
In early July 2012 Desmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson visited Yusuf Batil refugee camp in South Sudan, calling on the international community to address the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from fighting in the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
Photos: Adriane Ohanesian | The Elders