Darfur
Ending Genocide in Darfur
What is Darfur?
Darfur is the far western region (3 states) of the country of Sudan in Africa. It has a population of 6 million, mostly Muslim people of African descent.
What is the current issue with Darfur?
Grave Humanitarian Crisis and Genocide. Residents of Darfur are being systematically killed, displaced, and violated mostly by militias who are supported by the Sudanese government (including aerial bombardments!). These militias and the government are composed of Africans of Arabian descent who are also Muslim. Because this conflict appears somewhat as Arabian versus ethnic African it has been declared by the U.S. to be genocide. This conflict began in February of 2003.
- As many as 400,000 have died (it is shameful that no one knows more precisely) from violence or the malnutrition and disease caused by destruction of crops and displacement of people
- More are dying in Darfur each month than died in the US on 9/11
- Three million are now at risk because of this displacement
- The UN has declared this to be the worst humanitarian crisis today.
- This is the first time that a declaration of genocide has been made against a sitting government and not after the fact. Source: CRS
How are Catholics Involved?
- There is a small Catholic population and 12 Catholic Bishops in Sudan; the Comboni Missions of eastern Cincinnati are also active there.
- The Bishops encourage everyone to always stand up against genocide.
- The Bishops through their international aid agency, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are directly involved in Sudan and its Darfur region:
- CRS feeds 150,000 people every day in Darfur (www.crs.org)
- CRS has 220 staff members in Sudan, 120 specifically for Darfur
- U.S. Bishops have visited Darfur and directly lobby the U.S. government to help resolve the issue. (http://www.nccbuscc.org/)
What are the U.S. Bishops encouraging parishioners to do?
Write, call, or visit your congressional representative to send a message you support peace in the Sudan and we must work to achieve this goal. We must continue to send food and money relief to alleviate suffering in Darfur. The US should continue to work with the United Nations to ensure peace and safety.
Locally:
The Archdiocese Social Action, Catholic Social Services (which assists Sudanese refugees living locally), and Mission offices have worked since 2005 to support legislation that promotes peace and to increase financial assistance for food, water, and rebuilding efforts. We must continue this effort to keep our legislators active and aware of our interests.
Sample Letter
Dear Representative Schmidt (Chabot /Boehner)/Senator Brown/Voinovich:
Please urge Congress to call for immediate strong action by the Administration, the U.N. and NATO in resolving the crisis in Darfur.
With as many as 400,000 dead, three million at risk, and ongoing genocide I believe the situation in Darfur needs your immediate attention and action.
We all have a moral responsibility to vigorously address this, the most serious humanitarian crisis today, and also to convey that genocide is never tolerable.
Thank you for your consideration of this critical issue. I look forward to your response, your support on this issue, and your leadership to stop this genocide.
Addresses for Congress
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, Congressional District 2
8044 Montgomery Rd. Suite 540
Cincinnati OH 45236
513-791-0381
Washington Office toll free: 1-800-784-6366
http://www.house.gov/schmidt/contact.shtml
Senator Sherrod Brown
425 Walnut St. Suite 2310
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Washington switchboard toll free: 1-800-826-3688, ask for Senator Brown's office
http://brown.senate.gov/contact/
Senator George Voinovich
36 E. 7th St. Suite 2615
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-684-3265
http://voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
IHM Contact: Sherrie Heyse, heysesm@earthlink.net