Background on the Crisis in Darfur

Since 2003, Darfur in Western Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict. It is estimated that four hundred thousand people have been killed and 2.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes  are now living in displaced-persons camps in Sudan or in refugee camps in neighboring Chad.More than 3.5 million people are completely reliant on international aid for survival. The people of Darfur continue to experience horrendous crimes, including the mass rape of women and girls, burning of homes and religious buildings, killing of babies, and other atrocities. The main perpetrators of these atrocities have been the Sudanese-government-sponsored Janjaweed militias, who have often operated with direct help from the Sudanese military. In-fighting among the various rebel groups and factions has also taken a damaging toll.

For the first time in U.S. government history on September 9, 2004 this ongoing crisis is referred to as a "genocide" by Secretary of State Colin Powell when he testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  In his words, " We concluded--I concluded--that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility--and that genocide may still be occurring." 

Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter. In fact, the only thing keeping the death rates in Darfur from skyrocketing is the presence of one of the most elaborate humanitarian aid systems the world as ever seen.

Unfortunately, that aid network is now coming under attack as well.  In July of 2006 alone, more aid workers were killed than in the previous three years combined.  Aid workers have also frequently been arrested by the Sudanese government. If the aid network collapses due to violence, the monthly death rate in Darfur could top 100,000 according to Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. The men, women, and children of Darfur are being deprived of their humanity. Many of them have lost their homes, communities, families, and dreams for the future. Their government continues to deny that they need international protection, even as thousands more are displaced by government-backed attacks.   Those who escape the initial attacks contend daily with the constant threat of further violence, and the ever-present specters of disease and starvation.  Since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement on May 5 of this year, things have actually gotten worse, and the possibility of a dramatic increase in death rates looks increasingly real.  These families need our support, and we can’t afford to wait any longer.

For a more detailed description of the history and how to take action go to:
http://genocideintervention.net
 

It has been over a year since the  UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a strong United Nations peacekeeping force for Darfur. However, the mission has less than 10,000 of the authorized 26,000 peacekeepers and remains grossly under-funded and under-resourced. Everyday, the situation worsens and the violence is spreading into neighboring countries.  Until a robust UN force can be deployed, however, the international community must take steps to strengthen the undermanned and under-funded African Union peacekeeping force which has been alone in shouldering the world’s burden in Darfur for over a year now. While the need for these actions is ever-present, the will to act has been sadly lacking.
Please stand with us and with the people of Darfur by lending them our prayers, our support, and our voices to their plight.

Please click here for a detailed Crisis Guide and video from the Council on Foreign Relations.

For more information on the history and current situation of the crisis in Darfur please take the time to view this video from Physicians for Human Rights.