The Exodus Project

The Exodus Project develops evidence-based solutions to challenges faced by vulnerable groups during displacement crises. We develop these solutions by partnering with international stakeholders in the humanitarian and development fields. 

Current Project Summary

In April of 2023, in Sudan, a conflict started between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).  Both the SAF and RSF have targeted the civilian population, using drones to attack water and electricity infrastructure. Sexual violence has tripled (from 2021-2023), leading to the majority of refugees being women and children. Furthermore, roughly 80% of hospitals in Sudan have been deemed unfunctional, leading to a rise in maternal deaths and lack of mental healthcare for women and girls. Our current research project will compare maternal healthcare in countries with advanced care, with the care provided by NGOs to refugees in Egypt, alongside maternal care accessible in Sudan, to identify gaps in aid and determine evidence-based solutions to support female refugees and women’s healthcare in areas of conflict.

Featured Work

• 2025 Report: "Addressing the Needs of Displaced LGBTQI+ Ukrainian Refugees: Policy Recommendations for Humanitarian Organizations and Global Stakeholders." Research completed by William & Mary undergraduates Katie Bartlett, Ryan Cunningham, George Hage, Aubrey Lay, Daniella Marx, Brigid Rawdon, Carina Shalkivski, Zoha Siddiqui, Avneeti Singh, and Kathryn Webb under the direction of Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Reya Farber.
  
  
• 2022 White paper: “Menstrual Hygiene Management for Venezuelan Migrants: Policy Recommendations for Colombia’s Humanitarian Community.” Research conducted by William & Mary undergraduates Jahnavi Prabhala, Zoha Siddiqui, Millie Brigaud, Helena Buckman, Giselle Figueroa, Zechariah Saderup, Claire Wyszynski, and Zak Zeledon with the support of Associate Professor of Government Dr. Amy Oakes.
  
  
• 2022 Op-ed in Ms. Magazine: “Our Refugee Crisis Response Must Prioritize Menstrual Health.” Authored by William & Mary undergraduates Jahnavi Prabhala, Zoha Siddiqui, and Millie Brigaud.

Get to Know The Exodus Project

In 2019, through the Global Research Institute's Summer Fellows Program, Jahnavi Prabhala ’22 worked with international humanitarian organizations to research the Venezuelan migrant crisis in Bogotá, Colombia. While conducting humanitarian needs assessments with Venezuelan migrant women and girls, Jahnavi realized that in displacement crises, certain migrant groups face unique, multi-sectoral challenges (such as accessing menstrual hygiene management, in the case of Venezuelan migrant women and girls) that are often overlooked and left unaddressed by humanitarian and development organizations during crisis response. To address this problem, Jahnavi mobilized global NGOs, United Nations stakeholders, and a team of interdisciplinary scholars and students to create The Exodus Project.

Focus Areas

Displacement crises; vulnerable migrant populations; public health; international development; humanitarian aid; human rights; Latin America; Eastern Europe

Project Leads/Contacts

Amy Velnosky '28 (agvelnosky@wm.edu)