Food Crisis Worsens in Darfur — full story
The
UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced the daily food ration for Sudanese
refugees to 1,050 calories — about half an average person’s
minimum daily requirement — because donor countries have contributed
less than one-third of promised funds for 2006. This severe food
cutback, together with attacks on civilians and the humanitarian aid operations
trying to help them, endangers the lives of over 2.5 million uprooted Sudanese.
In response to this food ration reduction, many concerned citizens have begun a fast of 1,000 calories per day to stand in solidarity with the victims of genocide in Darfur. Our 40-day fast, which began on May 9th and end on June 17th, has two specific goals: First, we demand the protection of civilians in Darfur through the immediate intervention of an international peacekeeping force of sufficient size and strength to end the genocide. Second, we challenge donor countries to fulfill their promises to fully fund humanitarian aid operations in Sudan and Chad. We appeal to persons of good faith everywhere to reflect upon the urgent situation in Darfur and take action in support of these goals.
Our fast will allow us to experience in a small way the hunger faced every day by millions of uprooted Sudanese. We hope our fast will help us to better understand their longing for peace and a safe return to their homes. We ask you to contact your elected leaders and urge them to support an effective peacekeeping force in Darfur and to fully fund the WFP’s humanitarian aid operations in Sudan and Chad. If you want more information on our fast or other ways to help, please contact us.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
—Mahatma Gandhi