Helping Darfur

Helping Darfur

Everyday, an estimated 500 people lose their lives in Darfur, due to violence, disease and hunger.1 One of the largest humanitarian disasters in the world is the situation in Darfur,2 but the sad part, is that there are many people who don’t know what is happening in this war torn country. In my opinion, the first step to helping Darfur is to raise awareness. Nobody can help when they unaware of a problem. There are many people who believe that genocide is a thing of the past but in reality, it is happening right now. 300 000 are already dead in Darfur.3 There are things in our everyday lives that are linked to Darfur that we would never think about. For example, some companies, such as, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, JP Morgan and Vanguard, that contribute to the war in Darfur.4 Most of the companies mentioned are banks (2 of which are Canadian) that if a member, we all put our money into. By being a member, you are indirectly funding genocide and by perhaps changing to a different bank you are taking a stand against it. On the other hand, there are companies that contribute money to help Darfur. First of all, in order to get people to help stop the genocide in Darfur they need to know about it! Since 2003, the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed began and continue to systematically kill non-combatant civilians. 1 http://www.edah.org/darfur.cfm 2 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21365&Cr=sudan&Cr1 3 http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/04/22/darfur-un.html 4 http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/clips/is_your_mutual_fund/

300 000 are already dead and 2.7 million people are displaced from their home. There is a constant threat of rape, torture and murder living in Darfur.5 Information like this is what shocks people, and makes want to do whatever they can. A way to get some information out is to hold events dedicated to Darfur. For example, you could hold a variety show with all proceeds going to savedarfur.org and throughout the show you could have small sections reserved to inform the audience of the their current situation. Another way to help Darfur in your everyday life is to have post cards, letters or petitions at a table at school for students to sign. These letters could be sent to government letting them know that people want to end genocide. http://www.thecocacolacompany.com/presscenter/viewpoints_isdell_darfur.html

5 http://www.genocideintervention.net/educate/darfur