IDP Camps

Potike IDP Camp in Kitgum, Uganda (near the border with Sudan)


"IDP" - stands for Internally Displaced Persons. Like the term, "refugee," the label is used freqently to describe people who have been displaced, usually by war or conflict. In Uganda, the IDPs consist mainly of a minority ethnic group, the Acholi, living in the northern districts who have been displaced by conflict between the LRA and the government for the past two decades.

As I have had time to reflect on my discussions and visits with people living in the displaced persons camps recently, a recurrent theme has been running through my head: the creation and use of labels to categorize a group of people, usually as a way to assist them in some way and render them understandable to those on the outside. I have noticed that there tends to be a tragic half-life if you will, or irony in the use of such labels, however; since in reality, such labels often end up disempowering people instead. It seems to operate something like Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in physics: the more you try to pin something down conceptually in order to help develop a framework to control it or understand it intellectually, the more you distance yourself from a real relationship with the thing in itself; that is, the more you fail to understand the true, active, living nature of the object or person itself...maybe this is true with regard to our relationships with people, as it is with God...

In any case, I became so used to hearing 'IDP camp' and speaking the term to others, that by the time I actually went to one, I must have been surprised that the "IDPs" living in the camps were actually human beings - people, like you and me. The individuals I met in the camp could have been my mother or father, a friend, sister, a neighbor. These were people with names, a rich past, stories to tell, striking personalities, fascinating thoughts, ideas and opinions. Somehow the use of the term, "IDP" and "IDP camp" had created a barrier to human contact for me, at least intellectually, which could only be overcome over time and conversation, when I began to relate to these, men, women, mothers, fathers, and children as individuals who had had the misfortune of being caught in the crossfires of a conflict they had no desire to participate in themselves....I realized then that this person could have been you or me; and the labels meant nothing anymore.

I have visited 7 camps and in every single visit, I was struck by the variety of personalities, opinions, ideas and beliefs that began to emerge from group discussions on politics, religion, the role of the ICC, the conflict with the LRA, and the peace talks, as well as people's experiences and observations of violence in their own communities.

Many have spoken in the name of the displaced Acholi living in the camps: politicians, scholars, journalists, religious and local leaders. But I wanted to hear the voices of the people affected by the violence themselves. What did they think? What were their ideas for how long lasting peace could be achieved? Was there a general consensus about the role of the ICC, the government and the LRA? As I began to listen to their stories and hear people share their own opinions and political views and ideas; I was struck by the divergence in opinions, as well as the variety. There was not necessarily agreement about the ICC, for example - many thought the ICC would jeopardize peace talks, but others could see that without it, Kony and Museveni may not have come to the table in the first place. There were also mixed views about the government - many did not like Museveni, but they also acknowledged that the UPDF and the government had improved security significantly over the past several years. Of course, there may be some issues with their 'real' and hidden views, esp. given the fears of UPDF retaliation, but I sensed that people were being honest when they shared that though they did not like the government, many also saw that it had actually promoted peace over the past several years in the camps.

I still am not sure what to make of the political situation: for example, the 'root' causes of the conflict and the way forward to peace; but one thing I do know. The use of the term, "IDP" and "refugee" is and will continue to be problematic for me. Problematic, because as it has entered the currency of discourse about the conflict in northern Uganda and conflicts like it elsewhere, we forget that there are 'real' people, extremeley valuable lives, being lost and affected day by day in a situation that is inhuman, indecent and wrong.

And yet, I am amazed at the dignity and strength of the people in the midst of it all. The stories they have told, the ideas and thoughts I have been privileged to hear has led me to want to identify people affected by conflict, not as 'refugees' or 'idps' but as individuals - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons - each are precious human beings, with individual souls unlike any other...I met many amazing and beautiful people. People whose warmth, openness and generosity of spirit I will never forget. I want the lives of these individual people to be made known to those on the outside, those who have not had the privilege of meeting such extraordinary individuals and hearing their stories.

One of the greatest challenges facing people living in camps, whether they are "refugees" or "internally displaced" is the isolation they face as groups of people set apart as 'other' from the rest of society. Labeling them, I believe, somehow perpetuates and embeds the practice of isolation and neglect - making them victims of a discourse that serves to disempower them and render them voiceless. They become recipients of aid or assistance, incapable (at least as perceived by the outside world) of rendering their own means of subsistence or creating anything valuable out of their own communities. To those in the media and in the other parts of the world, they are faceless, voiceless, powerless and nameless...

In the hours, days and months to come, I will post photos of the individuals I met in the displaced camps, and where possible give identities of those individuals I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with during my brief visit to Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts.

Also, I will list the contact information, where available, of the individual camps. One of the biggest sources of hope and encouragement for many that I met in the north, was this possibility of creating bridges of communication and relationship with those on the outside. Those one may have previously only known by category, by labels, or by their circumstances, rather than their individual personalities and voices are not made more real or 'human' by programs which perpetuate their status as 'refugee' or 'idps,' but are made human by recognizing their very individuality - and the tremendous spirit, talent and strength to do, think and be more than their circumstances might suggest.

While I went to 'conduct' research (a narrow, antiseptic term); something about my mindset began to change over time. Not only did labels lose their value, but I also felt myself becoming more 'human' in the process. The label, "IDP," once removed as a mental barrier, made my heart more open to receiving and giving authentic conversation and love. I also discovered a clear responsibility and purpose: to take seriously what was 'other' as now my sister, my brother, my friend and neighbor. Their stories have become part of my story, their thoughts, a part of mine; and their warmth, love and strength of spirit have enlargened my own heart and mind. Bringing life and hope to me (to me, mind you and I thought it might be the other way around!) where I once viewed such circumstances in stark and one-dimensional terms. I felt connected to something bigger through my relationship with the friends I met in Uganda, civilians living both within and outside the camps. I felt a strong desire to bring a voice to the voiceless, justice to those who had been oppressed and declarations of truth where they had been manipulation and deception.

I see now, that this can only happen if we remove the labels that allow us to exonerate ourselves of responsibility over caring for innocent people who are facing poverty, disease and war.

Please if you can, write, send things, call, tell someone among those living in the north that you care, that you want to learn and listen, and even (though it may not be in a way you might expect), help. You might find that something completely unexpected happens as you do so. Labels lose their meaning and love takes root.

Please see subsequent postings for individual listing of camps, individuals and contacts.