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Darfur needs our attention
Krystal Burgess
Staff Reporter
thesouthtexan @yahoo.com |
|
The Darfur War has been described as one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. A horrific case of genocide and the primitive side of man, this war is gruesome.
When I first saw images of the victims in this war I was struck by the sense of loss in their eyes. Children without mothers and mothers without children are scattered throughout the region. They are among the 2.5 million displaced from their homes. I was overcome with disillusionment, sadness, and sympathy.
Then I started reading some of the facts and I was angered by the numbers. How can this be happening in a civilized world? Around 450,000 dead in over five years, entire towns and villages destroyed, no proper healthcare, and to make matters worse the conflict is now spilling over into Chad and other neighboring areas.
While reading survival stories I encountered tales of people digging mass graves for their friends and family killed by rebels, after losing everything they have. The sad part is that they haven’t really survived yet.
Civilians are hit worse by this war. Murder, torture, robbery, and rape have and will touch many families. The suffering will last lifetimes.
Peace arrangements have been made in the past but all have broken down. Most of the civilians rely on foreign aid and help to survive. Organizations like United Nations, UNICEF, and countless other nonprofit groups bring aid to those citizens every day. The courage of these people touched me. In a region immersed in war they risk themselves to help others. Their work is a great example of self-sacrifice and humanity.
This conflict is an example of what happens when war and poverty collide. Will this be America in 20 years? As our government spends millions of dollars on projects most of us don’t support; like the war in Iraq, the border wall, and many other side-projects of the Bush Administration; let us remember we need to eat and so do the people in Darfur.
All people should be granted their safety and the right to protect themselves and their family. It is a divine right. America was established as a place free of persecution. I’m not so sure that is entirely true today, but I know it isn’t for Darfur. Nations rest upon politics, economy, and humanity but Darfur is losing in all three of these categories. I was surprised that I hadn’t heard more about their struggle and plight.
More should be done to help these people. It starts with re-focusing our government’s attention towards American citizens and Darfur citizens.
Being aware of the situation in Darfur is essential. Showing humanity to others is the only way to receive it in return. Darfur deserves humanity.