New images from extensive attacks on Abu Suruj, Darfur

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To the left is Fatimah*, a Darfuri woman who lives in a Displaced Persons Camp in Darfur, and who is a beneficiary of GI-NET's Civilian Protection Program. Thanks to contributions from individuals like you, GI-NET was able to purchase a small sewing machine shared by Fatimah and three other women, allowing her to make clothes to sell as a source of income for her family. With the cash she earns from sewing, Fatimah is able to purchase firewood in the camp market rather than having to gather it in the unprotected areas outside the camp. Women who do not have enough money to buy firewood in the camp market must leave the relative safety of the camps to search for it - sometime for 15 hours at a time - exposing them to rape and attack by roving Janjaweed and militiamen.

GI-NET's Civilian Protection Program focuses specifically on improving the security and protection for the civilians of Darfur, like Fatimah. Recently, GI-NET provided 1,000 displaced Darfuri women with income-generating projects, such as sewing machines, chickens, and vegetable seeds, so that they could earn enough cash to stay out of the unsafe areas beyond the camp. Click here to learn about this and our other civilian protection projects.

GI-NET works to protect civilians by the most effective, efficient and direct strategies possible. Our projects also work to increase the efficiency and frequency of patrols that accompany IDP women from their camps when they go to collect firewood. In Burma we are working to create a village radio system in order to provide earlier warnings and protect more citizens at risk of violence. But we cannot do this without your generosity. Please help GI-NET protect civilians by making a tax-deductible donation today.

*Name changed to protect identity of project beneficiaries.