February 26, 2009

Thousands of refugees fleeing Darfur

Per CNN, "Thousands of people have fled recent violence in south Darfur, seeking security and shelter at a refugee camp in north Darfur, the United Nations said Wednesday."

The war-torn western region of Sudan was also in the news Tuesday when U.S. President Barack Obama announced he planned to send a special envoy to Darfur, according to the Chicago Tribune. Actor George Clooney had been advocating for such an envoy, per the article.

A handful of Twitter accounts appear to exist for actual refugees in the region. They list their location as "Darfur" and link to the Facebook Group "Darfur Facebook Profiles." Through other linking, it appears they may (or may not) be related to the organization Save Darfur.

These profiles give a glimpse into what life is like for a refugee, and include pictures through TwitPic.

@Oumar_Darfur (East Chad, formerly Darfur): Many children of Darfur draw pictures of war, violence, guns, death. What do people do in your country when children draw these things?



@Zaineb_Darfur (Chad, formerly Darfur): http://twitpic.com/1lnd4 - School is a place to learn but also to get together with friends-everyone wishes it did not end at primary level.



@Adef_Darfur (Chad, formerly Darfur): -Family would be one child larger, but he died during the escape from Darfur.



Some Twitter users have been interacting with the refugees.

@chellanglo: @Oumar_Darfur tell your brother he's in my prayers too!



@gaylemaree @Oumar_Darfur Oh it's my beautiful soccer boy's here - in spirit!! I'll have to have a word to @iact about forgetting to tell me!



Note: Do you have more information on these Twitter accounts and how they originated? Are you aware of anyone else twittering in the region? Please contact us at @breakingtweets.

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