September 14, 2004

URGE THE PRESIDENT, CONGRESS TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS DARFUR CRISIS

WHY THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT:  The humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan is still bleak. The lives, basic human dignity, and human rights of more than 2 million Sudanese are still in grave danger because of complete lack of security and major gaps in the provision of food, shelter, clean water and sanitation.  The U.S. governments recent determination that the situation in Darfur qualifies as genocide underscores the seriousness of the crisis.  Many displaced people are still beyond the reach of humanitarian assistance because of the rainy season and rugged terrain that make travel very difficult.  Their location in rebel-held territories raises further security obstacles.  The emergency is compounded by the presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan who are dispersed across a landmass the size of Texas.

Take action now! Enter your zip code in the TAKE ACTION box above! Click here for other ways to get involved.

According to CRS assessments in the region, the humanitarian and security situation shows little improvement despite some positive changes in recent months. While the government of Sudan has lifted some of the administrative obstacles to humanitarian relief the overall bureaucratic difficulties, insecurity and the rainy season have made the relief effort difficult.  More importantly, CRS President Ken Hackett in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 9, 2004 stated that: insufficient humanitarian assistance and related support is one of the great dangers of this crisis. Unless significant additional funds are made available to support expanded multilateral efforts, hundreds of thousands of lives may be lost in a matter of time.

BACKGROUND:  The crisis in Darfur results from escalated fighting between the government of Sudan and rebel groups claiming unjust treatment over land and resources. The Sudanese government and government-backed militias (the "Janjaweed") have systematically attacked villages linked to the two rebel groups.

The situation in Darfur is connected to the larger conflict that continues in southern Sudan, threatens to resume in eastern Sudan, and rages in Northern Uganda. The interplay of these events, as well as Sudan's relationship with its neighbors, the handling of its oil wealth, and its systematic violation of human rights makes Sudan the most critical country in Africa right now. For more information, please visit our website http://www.catholicrelief.org/

TAKE ACTION NOW!  Please call President Bush and your members of Congress to thank them for their leadership to address the crisis in Darfur especially for the recently approved $95 million for aid to people affected by this conflict in Darfur and neighboring Chad. 

In addition, urge the President and members of Congress to support the following:

7      Appropriate at least an additional $90 million for immediate and adequate humanitarian assistance in Sudan and Chad.

7      Expand the African Union (AU) force through the United Nations Security Council by at least 3,000 troops with a mandate to protect civilians and to provide expertise, financial, and logistical support for the AU force.

7      Ensure that peace talks between the conflicting parties in Darfur reach a comprehensive political solution acceptable to all.

7      Designate and dispatch a high level U.S. Peace Envoy to Sudan.

7      Resume and conclude quickly the North-South peace talks to ensure a comprehensive peace in the Sudan.

7      Establish immediately a United Nations Commission of Enquiry to assess human rights violations in Darfur.

To call your your elected officials, click here and enter your zip code.

To email your elected officials directly from our website,click here and enter your zip code or call Tina Rodousakis at 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7462 for further assistance.