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.thecoca-

colacompany.com/presscenter/viewpoints_isdell_darfur.html

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