The last week has seen a meeting at the White House between President Bush and some Sudanese experts, George Clooney speaking at a rally in Washington DC and a minor media maelstrom, but more importantly it put the genocide in Darfur - "The Greatest Humanitarian Crisis in the World Today" in the newspapers all week long.
There has been progress. President Bush sent Under Secretary of State, Robert K. Zoellick to the peace negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria. He has also been on the phone to Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to send his Vice President Ali Osman Taha, to Nigeria to negotiate in good faith with the various rebel factions. Tony Blair sent International Development Secretary Hilary Benn to Abuja as well. Today reports suggest that a peace agreement may be signed.
But progress is not peace, and a peace agreement is not the end of this crisis. Make no mistake, a humanitarian crisis continues.
In the meantime there are two things we can all do.
One. We can continue to put pressure on our elected officials to monitor the political situation and pressure our government to act in the face of genocide.
Two. We can give or raise money for the Non-Governmental Organizations working in Darfur and neighboring Chad who are providing vitally needed services to the 3 million people who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to this crisis.
The need for financial help right now is greater than ever. Aid from US Government agencies to victims in Darfur has actually been reduced by a staggering 40% . The rainy season, bringing greater health and survival issues is about to start. Relief agencies are beleaguered and working under increasingly difficult conditions that have deteriorated significantly since I was there last October.
There are many reputable organizations doing sterling work on the ground in Darfur and Chad. Some you might consider supporting are: www.imcworldwide.org, www.theirc.org or www.care.org
Peace or no peace the need there is great and 3 million survivors need food, water and shelter. Now.