Save Darfur
Screenshot from Darfur is Dying
What’s going on in the strife-torn Darfur region of Sudan?
The CliffsNotes version from Save Darfur:
Darfur has been embroiled in a deadly conflict for over three years. At least 400,000 people have been killed; more than 2 million innocent civilians have been forced to flee their homes and now live in displaced-persons camps in Sudan or in refugee camps in neighboring Chad; and more than 3.5 million men, women, and children are completely reliant on international aid for survival. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter.
António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has described the situation in Sudan and Chad as “the largest and most complex humanitarian problem on the globe.”
The Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militias are responsible for the burning and destruction of hundreds of rural villages, the killing of tens of thousands of people and rape and assault of thousands of women and girls.
The situation in Darfur became less abstract to me, shameless child of the MTV generation that I am, when I started playing Darfur is Dying, a simulation “game” online that I realized (after obnoxiously whinging how hard it was) isn’t a game to the 4 million people in Darfur.
Another creative strategy in response to the crisis: Eyes on Darfur, a collaborative effort among artists and crafters on Etsy.com to raise money and awareness for the people of Darfur. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. Of course, it’s always more pragmatic to donate directly to the charity of your choice, but if you’re going to buy something anyway, it couldn’t hurt to make your purchase count.
Chekhov’s pick of the litter: kitty toys made from recycled sweaters (and stuffed with organic catnip) for the “tree-hugging cat”.
And if you’re an American Express-card holder, you can donate your points to Refugees International (a three-star Charity Navigator charity), which provides “humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced people around the world,” as well.
Related article:
1. Even Third-World Farmers Get the Blues
azgoddess said,
November 28, 2006 at 11:35 am
thanks for the info about dafur…too bad mr baby bush can go visit there….
The Worsted Witch » said,
January 24, 2007 at 10:29 am
[...] I suppose the State of the Union address (or SOTU, which my brain always processes as STFU first, which isn’t a huge leap between neurons) proceeded as I expected it to—a lot of pithy lip service to placate the masses, much calculated spin to jerk Dems from their seats like puppets on string. And I’m sure the folks in NEW ORLEANS were hanging on his every word. Jerk. Let’s not even go into his audacity for bringing up Darfur. The personal-outrage tally: One outburst (”THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL!”), several grunts, and at least one derisive snort. As always, David Roberts has an entertaining play-by-play, if you’re raring to dive back into that cesspool of evil again. [...]
lola said,
May 31, 2007 at 7:46 am
ok so what is going on and why is it still going on. i dont think that this is good and when didm this starrt. im confused and i dont think that this is fair plwease help mre understand more or send me your page to let me understand more
Robert Mason said,
October 17, 2007 at 9:14 am
I think that bush need to get over there any help in any way that he can with you getting in to another war.
Robert Mason said,
October 17, 2007 at 9:15 am
I think that bush need to get over there any help in any way that he can with out getting in to another war.
Robert Mason said,
October 17, 2007 at 9:17 am
lola, I think that we are all confused about why there is not help over there. The most we can do is tell people about darfur and how worng it is and then just maybe Bush will do something with the power that he “have’s” he need to leave office NOW!!!!
AnFiach said,
April 12, 2008 at 7:47 pm
This is an absolute disgrace to any government not extending help to these people.
According to an article , Uganda is not fairing much better. According to the article they are doing a little worse. I think it is time for major countries to ally and do something besides idle talk. BB
Darcy said,
June 8, 2008 at 11:37 am
I understand what you guys are saying, of how Bush should get over there and help. You’re right, but don’t you also agree that the fight starts with us, the citizens of the United States? Like numerous other things, it always comes down to our American mindset, how we’re so used to our way of living and our immense priveleges, blind to the fact of how other countries live, moreover, of how they suffer. Therefore, I feel as though if we want Bush to make a change over in Darfur, and end the genocide, then we have to stand up and speak out. We, Americans, can’t just sit back in our Fords, eating our cheeseburgers, and let the genocide-the mass extinction of a whole group of people-continue. It’s time we said something.
Who’s with me?
Amal said,
May 23, 2011 at 12:58 pm
It’s Really not Fair what is happening to Darfur WHERE IS THE HELP?