DARFUR
In 2003, a conflict sparked between the Government of Sudan forces and rebels from its far western region, Darfur. Home to six million people living largely rural lives – nomadic herders and settled farmers – Darfur is roughly the size of France or Texas. An entirely Muslim region, its name means Homeland (Dar) of the Fur – one of its largest ethnic groups. The United Nations estimates that over 2.5 million people were forced to flee their homes and fatalities of nearly 300,000. Most of the displaced moved to camps for the internally displaced within Sudan, while over 250,000 fled the fighting into eastern Chad and live as refugees. Fueled by the fight for Darfur’s resources, gold, gum Arabic and arable land, the war sadly continues today.