Destroyed homes, murdered husbands, hunger, beatings, theft, and harassment.

Thirty Somali women and children refugees told their stories about these heartbreaking events as they sat with my colleagues Jake and Patrick recently in Djibouti City, Djibouti.

The families had made treacherous journeys from Somalia, traveling a road littered with brutal militiamen and checkpoints, in search of a safer, more stable life.

Tragically, they've moved from one bad situation to another, living in crippling poverty now in Djibouti.  Their homes are makeshift shelters of twigs and cloth.  They depend on the goodwill of the community for food, but the children eat only a bowl of rice per day.

The severe instability, violence and displacement in Somalia has rapidly become the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

For these 30 women and children, and for the nearly two million displaced Somalis, we urge you to make a generous donation this holiday season to support Refugees International's lifesaving advocacy.

Almost half of those living in Somalia are in dire circumstances, surviving only with external aid.  The situation is growing in urgency, and we need your help today.  Our goal is to raise $50,000 online by December 31 in direct support of our work to help displaced Somalis.

Please donate today.  Your support will enable us to:
1.    Demand the new US administration overhaul its policy toward Somalia and prioritize the provision of humanitarian aid, and
2.    Push the UN Refugee Agency to improve protection and outreach efforts in Djibouti.

For nearly 30 years, through the support of individuals like you, Refugees International has served as an unparalleled source for lifesaving solutions to refugee and displacement crises. 

Give today.  Help us meet our goal by December 31 and ensure that more is done to improve the lives of Somalis in 2009.