On November 6, I attended the lecture given on Darfur. This was one of the most interesting discussions that I have attended being that it was on a subject that not many people are informed of. Going into the discussion I had an idea of what was happening in Darfur however, this lecture put a more human face on the events occurring.
The conflict is seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious. One side of the armed conflict is composed mainly of the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed, a militia group of camel-herding nomads. The other side is made up of rebel groups, including the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has left as many as 450,000 dead from violence and disease.
Dr. Jerry Elrich, a speaker at the discussion, volunteered in Darfur at the largest camp. He spoke of his experiences and showed pictures that really held our attention. They were pictures drawn by children showing what they see in Darfur with the violence and killing. He then discussed his own pictures that he took. Each photo made me want to reach out and help these weak and sorrowful people. Dr. Elrich concluded by answering questions and giving suggestions on how we can help.
For more information: www.savedarfur.org/
Though I do not know a lot about Darfur, I feel that it is good people are becoming more and more informed about this problem. I wish I was able to attend but knowing that there are opportunities for people to reach out and make a difference really helps one to know that people are trying to aid the people overseas.
By: Tara Dragotta on November 9, 2007
at 12:48 am
The problem that I believe exists is that people do not even know where to go to give aid for Darfur. When Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami hit, everyone knew to give to the Red Cross, but Darfur has been almost hidden to the point where we really do not know. Should we be giving money to Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, or maybe to a peace seeking group? Darfur has been kept quiet to the point where the population really has no answer. Beyond this, we can keep on giving aid, for which America is first in, but this does not do anything to solve the problem. We must take action to put a halt to the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed whether by placing sanctions, sending a massive amount of peacekeepers, or taking military action. Aid is not the answer to this problem.
By: ryanpines on November 10, 2007
at 11:23 am