Where Mercy Fails: Darfur's Struggle to Survive

This new work provides a graphic and literal context for understanding the current tragedy in Darfur and describes a framework for how people of faith are responding to the crisis.  Jeffrey’s photos depict daily life in the camps, showing both the challenges faced by the displaced, as well as their unguarded moments of joy and hope. The images show the people of Darfur as real, three-dimensional people, subjects of their history, not as objects or victims in an overly simplistic conflict.

The text by Herlinger makes clear that the crisis in Darfur cannot be explained easily, glibly, or in a simplistic fashion. It includes personal stories of those uprooted and currently living in the camps. Additional sections examine the debates surrounding Darfur, including concerns over genocide, the debate over “protection” and “responsibility” by the international community, and the role of activists and religious communities in the ecumenical humanitarian response.

Paul Jeffrey is a United Methodist missionary photojournalist.  He lived in Latin America for two decades and has filed stories and images from more than 65 countries around the world.  His work has appeared in media ranging from the Washington Post to National Geographic Explorer. He lives in Oregon.

CHRIS HERLINGER, a writer with Church World Service, is a freelance journalist whose reporting for Religion News Service has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune. His reporting from Haiti has appeared in the Catholic News Service, Ecumenical News International, The Christian Century, and the National Catholic Reporter. He lives in New York City.