Johanna-Maria Fritz
Johanna-Maria Fritz

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Forced to leave

Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes when the massacres began in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The sudden, shocking experience when fighting erupted in their area and about how terrified they were. All in one moment, they fled in the direction of Sudan. Most of them didn’t bring anything with them, just the clothes on their bodies. No Passports and no money - only the memory from home. The most of the people arrived in end of November 2020. Since then 20.000 people  came to Um Rakuba but the initial capacity in the camp was for 6,000 people. However, the camp is constantly being enlarged. The hills surrounding the camp prevent any breeze from getting between the tents. The biggest problem is water scarcity in the sweltering heat of the savannah in East Sudan. But the lack of a telephone connection also causes problems for the residents. Only in some places there is weak cell phone reception and rarely internet. Many want to reach their families and loved ones, to know whether they have survived or where they are. When the rainy season begins, masses of water will run down the hills into the camp. 

2020-2021

 

back to Projects

Forced to leave

Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes when the massacres began in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The sudden, shocking experience when fighting erupted in their area and about how terrified they were. All in one moment, they fled in the direction of Sudan. Most of them didn’t bring anything with them, just the clothes on their bodies. No Passports and no money - only the memory from home. The most of the people arrived in end of November 2020. Since then 20.000 people  came to Um Rakuba but the initial capacity in the camp was for 6,000 people. However, the camp is constantly being enlarged. The hills surrounding the camp prevent any breeze from getting between the tents. The biggest problem is water scarcity in the sweltering heat of the savannah in East Sudan. But the lack of a telephone connection also causes problems for the residents. Only in some places there is weak cell phone reception and rarely internet. Many want to reach their families and loved ones, to know whether they have survived or where they are. When the rainy season begins, masses of water will run down the hills into the camp. 

2020-2021