- Darfur, a western region in Africa’s largest country Sudan, is said to be the site of one of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. According to United Nations estimates since 2003 there are 2.7 Million internally displaced persons in Darfur, and more than 200,000 refugees from Darfur in neighboring Chad. [ref. 1], [ref. 2], [ref. 3]
This is an issue that many of us have probably heard about but know little
about.
- The UN estimates that 4.7
million people are currently directly affected by the conflict in Darfur, half
of those affected are children. [ref.]
Like most issues of oppression, those who
are most greatly affected in the Darfur conflict are the youngest and weakest.
- U.N investigations have concluded that the Sudanese
government and the Janjaweed (government supported militia) are responsible for
wide spread attacks, killing countless civilians, torture, enforced
disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of sexual
violence, pillaging and forced displacement throughout Darfur. [ref.]
- For 25 years, rebel group
The Lords Resistance Army and its leader Joseph Kony have terrorized civilians
throughout Northern Uganda as well as nearby Sudan, Central African Republic
and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have caused the deaths of over
65,000 people, the displacement of more than one million people, and the
abduction of more than 22,000 children. [ref. 1], [ref. 2]
- While headway has recently
been made in the crisis within Northern Uganda, Joseph Kony and the Lords
Resistance Army have repeatedly failed to sign the Final Peace Agreement and
continue to attack civilians. [ref. 1],