Despite the danger, World Vision continues to work in areas that are rife with conflict. World Vision Canada President Dave Toycen explains why.

It was probably one of the scariest moments of my life. It was 1979 and I was in Thailand, just a few kilometres from the Cambodia border. Cambodians were escaping by the thousands from the horrors of the Pol Pot regime and we were there to work in the refugee camps. Suddenly gunshots shattered the silence. We ducked for cover, our hearts pounding. Were we the targets? After minutes, though it seemed like hours, the shooting stopped. 

Doing aid work is tough at the best of times. When you factor in the danger, the challenges of negotiating with opposing factions to deliver aid, and the logistics of serving people who are on the move, it can be very difficult indeed.

But there are good reasons to stay in countries affected by conflict, which is why World Vision still works in almost all of the world's 24 current conflict zones.

Saving Lives
Our top priority is to save lives. When people have lost access to their land and homes because of war, where can they turn? In places like Darfur, Sudan, 2.3 million people have fled their homes due to conflict. Many are surviving on humanitarian aid until their home area becomes more secure.

Helping Children
We also help children who have been traumatized by war. In northern Uganda, where the Lord's Resistance Army has been kidnapping children and killing civilians for 20 years, we run a rehabilitation centre for children who have escaped or been rescued from the LRA. In addition to providing trauma counselling and health care, our aim is to help former child soldiers reintegrate into society.

Peacemaking
Peacemaking is vital to our work in places of conflict such as northern Uganda, Sudan, and Columbia. We work with church and community leaders to support local peace efforts. From there, we share our learnings with peace negotiators and diplomats in Canada and internationally.

In conflicted countries, our first priority is to meet people's immediate needs. But, ultimately, without peace, people cannot live out their potential.

When peace finally comes, refugees and internally displaced people can return home and begin supporting themselves again. Homes and farms can be rebuilt. Children can return to school. And agencies like World Vision can refocus their energies on helping build safe and vibrant communities.