Photo Credit: Refugees International
11/20/2006

The humanitarian needs in the northwest, even in areas that have not been exposed to the conflict, are massive. In one of the northern towns, a woman explained that “The bandits destroyed the markets here many times. Some will kill you if you refuse to give them money. They take your child and leave. You must pay for the child to be returned.” The people stated that the government forces have come to the town, but there are no rebels there, so the government forces have not done anything harmful. Though the schools are still open and people work in their fields, the population suffers from extreme poverty, an HIV/AIDS rate ranging from 15-30%, lawlessness, impunity and neglect from most of the international community.