My Photos of Darfur, Eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic

I have been taking photographs in Darfur, Eastern Chad and the Central African Republic since the early months of the Darfur genocide in 2004. They have appeared in major publications around the world. I have now organized 300 of these photos for public display and use on my website, www.miafarrow.org/photos. The galleries are easily accessible in this online venue. They are organized by geographical location; Darfur, Eastern Chad, and CAR.

I post these images with the hope that people will take them to their synagogues and churches, their mosques and temples, to help their communities understand what is happening to the people of this anguished region. The images feature perpetrators and their instruments of destruction, villages and the ashes that remain, the deplorable camps into which millions have fled, and most especially they show the courage of those who are struggling to survive despite the unutterable atrocities committed against them, despite their irredeemable losses, despite the terror that shatters their days and nights, and despite the awful violence that continues to convulse their homelands. I hope the faces in these photographs will convey the level of suffering being inflicted upon innocent men, women and children and will inspire others as they have inspired me, to step away from our own feelings of helplessness, and urge an indifferent world to acknowledge its responsibility to protect and bring peace to this fragile population.

Comments

[jneems]

Breathtakingly beautiful photography. Thank you for sharing these.

[xpresv]

Two of my protest signs that have made it into the national media in recent years:

"Omar El-Bashir: Much worse than Saddam. Stop Killing Iraqis, Save Darfurians"

"Darfur Genocide: Made in China"

[xpresv]

I saw Ms. Farrow's photos as part of a presentation at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA this past Spring. I was especially honored to be invited to meet with her ahead of her speech, along with local "Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan."

She is incredibly gracious and kind, and is certainly doing more to raise awareness about the current atroicities in Darfur than ANY of our politicians in Washington, and for that, she should be commended by all and proud of her work.

As a long-time anti-genocide activist, I have worked to raise awareness, lobby officials, and raise funds for the people of Darfur and South Sudan, but I have never set foot inside Sudan. Ms. Farrow brings into focus the stories that are (occassionally) told in the media, but with a special kindness and compassion that can only come from true empathy, and a sense of urgency that can be seen in these photographs.

Kudos to Ms. Farrow for trying to alert the world to this emergency that has continued for far too long.

May 2008 bring peace and security to the people of Darfur.

[Boobaloo]

Helping or sending money will do no good ... no matter we do the American gov't, in collusion with the Chad authorities will continue to escalate the conflict because theiry only goal is OIL and disrupting CHINA's oil supply, which it gets from Darfur.

For more information on Condi's latest war crimes do a search with the following key words: America and Chad oil pipe line, China and Darfur/Sudan oil pipeline.

Condi will not allow the people of Darfur a moment of peace so long as oil and China are in the picture. Just like Iraq.

[jpshotwheels]

Dear Mia Farrow,

First of all, I think what your doing to bring attention to this matter is fantastic, your cause is heroic, and I admire your persistance.

This week I heard something that you did and this just amazed me. I heard that you went to Blackwater for help in Darfur. Listen Mia, you don't need Blackwater running around in Darfur. I suggest you read Jeremy Scahill's book "Blackwater USA." This company is not a solution, they will only add to the problems, and personally I get sick to my stomach, that my tax dollars are spent to support this company.

If you want solutions to this, Governments and Corporations need to stop supporting the militias that are killing thousands of innocent people, so they can rob and pilage the rich resources that Africa has on their Continent. Until these Goverments and Corporations respect the Soverneignty of a Nation and their resources, this is never going to happen.

Blackwater is a big part of the problem in Iraq, these people run around killing innocent Iraqi's, they aren't punished and paid three times more than our American soldiers. Be careful what you ask for.

[jollyelle]

The faces of oppression reminds all of us we are human beings together on this planet. Thank you for showing us these pictures. Will you be traveling to other places where people are suffering at the hands of oppressors? Send a photo ambassador to ravaged Palestine to capture the terrible suffering inflicted on the people by their unjust captors.

[jagoneely]

I think you are very brave. I for one, could not digest this human suffering and still get up in the morning. I looked at all your photos. I wish I could imagine a future for them with out pain. Is it even possible? Here I am a citizen of a country that should know better, and yet it began a war of choice. Civilized countries should not begin wars...we should end them. Keep up your brave work. I'm sure you bring a little hope to these lost people.

[Norge]

Mia,You are doing good work and are also getting help from here I would imagine.

http//www.humanrightsfirst.org

And I would encourage all who have a moment to prioritize this site and have a view and get enraged.

Rolf Krogsæther

[jennyjen]

Hi Mia - please note that the website link in your post is incorrect.

I believe it should be .org instead of .com?

I appreciate your hard work on this issue.