Recovery Slowly Dawns on Northern Uganda

For 20 years, war has haunted northern Uganda. Fighting between the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group and the government of Uganda drove more than 2 million residents from their homes and into camps for displaced people.

Now, after two years of peace talks, security in the region has improved significantly, bringing new hope to a dispirited population.

Over the last year, many Ugandans have begun returning to their original homes. Thousands of others have moved to "satellite camps" closer to their homesteads that allow them to farm safely during the day and return to the security of the camp at night. Thousands more are still living in original camps in urban areas.

Catholic Relief Services' regional information officer for East Africa, Debbie DeVoe, recently visited residents living in camps near Gulu. In this audio tour, she shares their tales of hope and determination.

All photos by Debbie DeVoe/CRS