Refugee mother and child, Amnabak camp. Credit: Helen Palmer/Oxfam

World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20th.

World Refugee Day: Testimonies from the Djabal camp in Eastern Chad

World Refugee Day was established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. The first event was held in 2001 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Since the breakout of Darfur crisis in 2004, eastern Chad has been an unstable and insecure area. About half a million people fled their homes to reach camps in the region. Below are some testimonials from Sudanese refugees living in Djabal camp, in Eastern Chad.

Credit: Cinta Pluma/Oxfam

Buseina, 15 years, school hygiene promoter in Djabal (with a book in the center of the picture). "I feel good and comfortable when I give messages to students because they listen and understand. Besides, when we return home, we explain all these things to our parents and neighbors. Although the most difficult thing is to have soap and convince the kids to clean latrines."
Credit: Cinta Pluma/Oxfam

Mohammad, 35 years, school teacher. “The schools in refugee camps follow the same curriculum as the schools in Sudan."
Credit: Cinta Pluma/Oxfam

Mohammad, 35 years, school teacher. "Normally, we have notebooks, textbooks and blackboards, but there is a lack of other materials for students. So, many of them have to work to buy notebooks.”
Credit: Cinta Pluma/Oxfam

Jamisa, 22 years, health and hygiene promoter (in white). "I receive a lot of training and I love what I do. When I return to Sudan, I would like to work in a hospital. I know that I cannot become a doctor, but I am sure I can help the same way I do here. "
Credit: Cinta Pluma/Oxfam

Daod, 35 years, refugee leader. "I have rented a field here where several people work for me. I give them a part of the harvest. I take care of my family and the children of my brother, who died during the war. We live off of the monthly food distribution and what people give us sometimes. Other members of my family perform small jobs as day laborers and receive a salary which also contributes towards our daily needs."