Ben Affleck Returns To The Congo

GOMA, Congo — Ben Affleck is talking to children and aid officials in refugee camps in war-torn eastern Congo in an effort to raise awareness of the conflict that has displaced at least 250,000 people.

The actor has visited the Central African country four times since 2007 and also has made a documentary about its problems.

"I'm not an expert in international affairs or diplomacy, but it doesn't take that to see the tremendous suffering here," he told The Associated Press on Thursday in Goma, the regional capital. "It's not something that we as human beings can, in good conscience, ignore."

Years of sporadic violence in eastern Congo intensified in August, when fighting heated up between the army and fighters loyal to rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.

Some fear the current crisis could once again draw in neighboring countries. Congo's devastating 1998-2002 war split the vast nation into rival fiefdoms and involved half a dozen African armies.

"I'm really glad that more people are paying more attention to (Congo) now but I'm really saddened that it's taken this uptick in violence to make that happen," Affleck said.

"The primary reason I am here is to urge people to give money to the NGOs and charities doing hard work in eastern Congo on meager funds," he said. "And if people out there have an existing relationship with a charity, to urge that charity to get involved in eastern Congo. To let people know, 'Don't just read the horror stories in the newspapers and turn off.'"

Affleck said he first became interested in Congo a few years ago, when Hollywood's attentions began to focus another African crisis, Darfur. After doing more research on Africa, he was shocked to learn about Congo's four-year war, during which an estimated 5 million people died.

"I thought a lot of people are advocating on Darfur. I'd just be a very small log on a big fire. I started getting interested in Congo and I thought, this is a place where I can have a really big impact," he said.

Decades of instability and conflict mean everyone in Congo has a compelling story to tell. And the country's stunning landscapes _ rolling green fields, riotous fields of flowers, sparkling lakes and even a moodily smoking volcano _ deserve their own starring role. Would Affleck consider putting Congo on the big screen?

"It's a big story," he said. "I think you'd have to make it about one person, and their story, their journey through the political reality here."

Comments

[wendynyc]

If we could collectively raise $500 million to get Barack Obama elected, surely we can raise a fifth of that to help these victims of violence in the Congo region.

[wendynyc]

We finally have a President-elect in the White House - who will use his bully-pulpit to bring energy and focus to the continent of Africa.

[IndyReader]

I think it's interesting that everyone here applauds Affleck for going to the Central African Republic to do whatever it is he's doing, but by the same token you don't want him to have an opinion on politics in the US.

[kahalaman]

I applaud Ben Affleck's going to eastern Congo, as well as agreeing with his political opinions. Now if only he could start making good movies again, like his friend Matt Damon. As human beings, both of these guys are the best.

[roch20]

I am so proud of him, Ben is such a good samaritan, i know this is something eventually we'll have a answer for as to why is he doing there, but right now , Ben you are the man, kudos...!!!

[113]

i have respect for him and the other celebrities who try to use their stardom to shed light on problems especially by actually visiting places that need help instead of just showing up at a fancy fundraiser to show off their new clothes and spitting a couple miss america lines out to the cameras about the need to stop suffering

At least he's actually trying to help in a real way. So that's good. We just need our government to stop dragginig it's feet and finally mobilize the international community to start multilaterally sending in troops and using diplomacy to stop the genocide in Darfur and stop this war in the Congo.

I am looking to President Obama to finally seriously address the problems throughout Africa. It's not just a matter of doing the right thing, but it would be in our long-term strategic interest. If we capture the hearts and minds of the young in Africa and build up adequate infrastructure in some countries we could be laying the physical and mental groundwork for a continent filled with powerful unwavering partners and allies in the next few centuries.

[MissingAmerica]

Amen, 113.

[veggiehead]

He is a good guy. Any means to bring attention to the suffering is important. I have also heard he is well read - I bet he will be in politics one day.

[ThizIsSpartan]

If you sit on your a$$ in the comfort of your own home with questions and wonders about the he doing. Please shut it up yours. When someone doing any good to help another human being all you can do is appreciate and thank them, instead of blah blah yada yada.....

[jthomsen]

If the people survive - the animals won't. I want to see gorillas, rhinos, cheetahs and monkeys. I don't give a damn what happens to the people.

THERE! Somebody had to say it.

Read Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari.... he finally figured out that aid and food helps people, at the expense of every other living thing in Africa.

Enough already. I just don't care.

[MBoyer]

I agree - the gorillas in the congo are the ones that need saving with only 700 left and these savage militias killing them to make a point.

At the same time I can't help but think if there's stability and peopel have basic needs covered they'd be more likely to care about the animals in their country, no?

[fulanita]

In order to save the animals, we need to save the people. While I am passionate about animals, especially the beautiful apes, we cannot ignore the plight of these people, whom I also feel very passionate about. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

[spartanmom]

Go ahead moan and complain about this or that celeb.
Same old same old

or DO SOMETHING ! !

BE CHANGE

Here's my suggestion

http://www.womenforwomen.org/

[mamacat]

Be careful Ben. That country is pretty much without any semblance of order, and being a movie star won't keep you from stopping a bullet. There's a time when good intentions need to be balanced with common sense.

[fanifesu]

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt folks, look at some of the other celebs...

[topkatnc]

Good point .

[jetbanana]

Any chance he could stay there?

[rzan1]

I appreciate people like Clooney and Affleck and Joli and Farrow for bringing our attention to the unbelievable suffering on the African continent.

[Paw1]

Personally, I'd find it more appealing if Affleck took 10% of what he earned from his last film (I think SMOKIN ACES was what that work of art was called), bought a bunch of food and medicine, chartered a plane at his own expense and spent a few weeks in Congo just doling it out. One suffering person at a time. Anything else is a publicity stunt or an ego stroke.

Same for all the individuals mentioned above.

[CR46]

It is great to see that some people with means take on something like this, donating time and money and using their celebrity to call attention to this and other causes.

[strength]

First off, you assume he hasnt spent millions for the efforts he beleives in. Secondly, you dont think that him doing this, bring it into public is a good thing? I know most of hollywood is just to egocentric to REALLY care, but from hearing Affleck speak about these issues and how smart he actually is, i do think he does this to help. He does more directing then acting these days anyway, and a good job too.

[Cooper1608]

Ben Affleck on YouTube in Congo:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTkWTb2-Jyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjTvT0Wzhw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWbhV38ApqE

[skunky93]

oh and of course your attitude will bring so much help to those who suffer and are hungry. Great job.

Affleck and others who do these things do not have to prove anything to you. They do this for what they believe in because they can.

Can you?

[veggiehead]

No amount of money in the world will fix the corruption there...Throwing money at the problem has not worked in the past and will not work today.

[LittlePurpleUSA]

I think it's great that these stars are using their popularity to rise the awareness. To expose the suffering that many people here in the US take for granted. But, ultimately, any change that's going to come to those suffering is by them standing up and overthrowing the very same forces that are raping their lands and destroying their natural resources.

http://littlepurpleusa.blogspot.com

[trudem2]

"......ultimately, any change that's going to come to those suffering is by them standing up and overthrowing the very same forces that are raping their lands and destroying their natural resources."

Would that it were so easy.....

Just exactly how are millions of poor, uneducated Africans supposed to overthrow their oppressors? Was it easy for Americans to oust the criminals that savaged our country for the last 8 years? Did we even protest? Did we hit the streets and march and demand they be ousted?
Did we "stand up?"

[kellygrrrl]

I'm seeing a future run in MA for Mr. and Mrs. Affleck