CNN’s Zain Asher speaks with Lady Mary Dinah, founder and CEO of the Mary Dinah Foundation, which leads large-scale humanitarian programs, about her efforts to help Sudanese refugees in Chad.
Key quotes from Dinah:
On the pressure on Chad:
“Over 900,000 Sudanese refugees have come into Chad through the eastern border of Chad since the war began three years ago. And that is putting a lot of strain on already limited resources. We're talking about water resources, educational resources, but also food. Even food and nutrition has become a major problem. At the moment, we see one community health worker to every 5000 people, inhabitants in those villages across the border. And the recommendation is one to thousand. Also it takes about an hour for people walking to get and reach medical supplies. And when they get there, they might not even be seen, because the need is really overwhelming.”
“Sexual and gender-based violence is something that is used as a weapon of war, which really shouldn't be. These are atrocities that should never be committed […]. They need more support. They need micronutrient supplements that are highly fortified, which is some of the products that my foundation distributes on the border, eastern border of Chad. But also, education, we see cultural norms that are very negative for women, we’re in a situation where there aren't enough chances for people to go to school. The parents are sending boys rather than sending girls, and so that also reduces the economic opportunities for girls.”
On maintaining USAID after the cuts:
“When I think about the priorities of the U.S., it's in their interest to ensure that the welfare of refugees and displaced persons around the world is kept to limit the burden of migrants on the United States. And also, some of the products that we distribute are made in America. They are manufactured in America. We have manufacturing partners in Rhode Island, but also even in Georgia. Georgia produces one of the highest-grade peanuts in the world, and there are many peanut farmers whose livelihood was very much in question when the U.S. cuts happened. And so supporting foundations that essentially align with your international and diplomatic interest and the interests of people on the shores of the U.S. I think that was a key priority for them when they were selecting programs to keep. But also with our foundation, we focus on local leadership. We scale very quickly. We're fast, we're female led. I think those were also perhaps some of the reasons why we were saved.”