DARFUR: Tragedy Ignored?

There was a political cartoon in a newspaper recently which highlighted the tragedy of the Sudan conflict. It said, "Do you think it would help if we put a "t" in front of it: "t-sudan" reminding readers of the huge outpouring of aid for the victims of the Asian Tsunami, while in Africa millions are uprooted, killed, raped and maimed by ongoing tribal and religious warfare. Some have even used the word "genocidal" to describe the horror.

The crisis in Darfur, in western Sudan, has been called the starkest challenge to the world since the Rwanda genocide in 1994. The ongoing devastation has killed an estimated 400,000 and displaced over 2 million Sudanese since February 2003. The UN has called it the "worst humanitarian crisis in the world."

A government-backed Arab militia known as Janjaweed has been engaging in campaigns to wipe out communities of African tribal farmers. Civilians who have survived village destruction have fled to refugee camps in Darfur's main towns. Literally tens of thousands of Darfurians are at risk of starvation and disease.

Colin Powell and Kofi Annan brought attention briefly to Darfur last summer. President Bush and the US Congress have declared that genocide is taking place. A major step toward peace was taken in another area of southern Sudan in January. But the tragedy of Darfur continues.

Many denominations and local churches have voiced grave concern about the enormous suffering and loss of life. Funds are desperately needed for programs that will promote child protection, income generation for women, and safe return to rebuilt villages. But before that can happen, the killing in the Darfur region must cease.

Christian people have graciously responded to relief efforts around the world. The time is now to help Darfurians.

1. Pray for the victims and the persecutors in this terrible tragedy
2. Write your congresspersons to generate action from the US government
3. Sign petitions to Congress
4. Voice your concern to neighbors and friends about this tragedy
5. Receive a special offering

"The time is now!

Brian Witwer
Lead Pastor, Aldersgate Community
Fort Wayne, Indiana

An estimated 400,000 Darfurians have been killed and two million are displaced. After a bipartisan delegation visited refugee camps in January, 2005, comments included the following:

Rep. Diane Watson spoke of "250,000 souls sitting there" on the Chad-Sudan border "with blank stares in their eyes, still traumatized."

Rep. Ed Royce commented, "This killing goes on day in, day out...This is not a problem for Africans alone to solve. The whole world must be
engaged."

Rep. Barbara Lee concluded, "I saw missing limbs. I looked in the eyes of the girls who had been raped. The sheer force of the human suffering we witnessed has strengthened my conviction that we must take action to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

O God, all holy One,
you are our Father, and our Mother,
and we are your children.
Open our eyes and our hearts
so that we may be able to discern
your work in the universe.
And be able to see Your features
in every one of Your children.
May we learn that there are many paths
but all lead to You.
Help us to know that you have created us
for family, for togetherness,
for peace, for gentleness,
for compassion, for caring, for sharing.

May we know that You want us
to care for one another
as those who know
that they are sisters and brothers,
members of the same family,
Your family,
the human family.

Help us to beat our swords into plowshares
and our spears into pruning hooks,
so that we may be able to live
in peace and harmony,
wiping away the tears
from the eyes of those
who are less fortunate than ourselves.
And may we know war no more,
as we strive to be
what You want us to be:
Your children.

Amen.
Desmond M. Tutu, Former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa (adapted)