Refugees and Legionnaires

Lane Wallace

Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Eastern Chad is portrayed as a chaotic and dangerous region, heavily affected by the Darfur conflict's spillover, resulting in widespread displacement and a critical need for humanitarian aid.
Air Serv International provides essential air transport for personnel and supplies to remote refugee camps, serving as a vital link where ground travel is often impossible due to poor infrastructure and harsh conditions.
The organization's pilots, exemplified by Myriam and Lauren, demonstrate extraordinary bravery and resilience, operating in highly perilous environments with constant threats of violence, rebel attacks, and hijackings.
Despite the immense personal risks and challenging living conditions, these pilots are driven by a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, providing a crucial lifeline that helps restore safety and hope to thousands of refugees.

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The first sign that I’ve left modern civilization-and whatever thin veneer of order might accompany it-appears as I try to exit baggage claim and customs at the international airport in N’Djamena, Chad. I walk through the customs doorway into the terminal lobby and suddenly find myself in a real-life variation of the jail scene in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Except that the pressing, noisy crowd of people whose arms are draped around and reaching through the bars are wearing flowing white djellabahs and turbans instead of pirate garb. And I’m the one inside the cage.