 photo by Rev. Wilfredo Benitez for Orange County for Darfur
Orange County for Darfur seeks to: Our historyOrange County for Darfur is a Living Ubuntu project and an all-volunteer effort that began in June 2007. In addition to raising awareness and persuading our elected officials and others in positions of influence to take more action in order to stop the genocide, a secondary goal is to help facilitate and increase coordinated efforts related to Darfur among individuals and groups in Orange County. OCFD was formed primarily in response to the recognition of two things. First, three years had passed since genocide in Darfur was declared by the U. S. government. Second, despite that passage of time, consistent, well-organized grassroots efforts in Orange County remained virtually non-existent. We have formed a group whose core consists of dedicated volunteers committed to staying for the long term in working toward ending the atrocities in Darfur. Additionally, we are determined to not be complicit in genocide by remaining silent. Background of the conflictHow do you respond to an event as difficult to understand as a government-sponsored mass murder of part of a country’s civilian population? The United Nations has described Sudan's western Darfur region as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The conflict flared in 2003 when rebels in Darfur took up arms against the Arab government that had neglected the region. Since then, the Janjaweed, backed by government troops, have carried out widespread killings of civilians. President Bush has condemned the campaign as genocide, and the United Nations has approved the deployment of international peacekeepers in Darfur to create a hybrid United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force. For latest news, visit out blog at ocfordarfur.wordpress.com. Why Living Ubuntu's focus is on DarfurFor trauma recovery to be effective on a global scale, it must join hands with human rights and political movements for social change. While there are many regions around the world suffering from mass atrocities, Darfur, Sudan is unique in that it is the first time in U.S. history that the designation of genocide has been rendered by the U.S. government while it is yet ongoing. We must seize these opportunities as moral imperatives, but also in recognition that to ignore these issues perpetuates inhumanity, horror, and trauma. Trauma begets trauma, if left unattended, without sufficient reconciliation and healing taking place. Click here to know more about Living Ubuntu. Recommended national organizationsThe following are a few of the many national organizations whose extraordinary work and dedication have helped raise awareness of the American public regarding the horrific atrocities occurring in Darfur. Save Darfur Genocide Intervention Network Enough Project ContactIf you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Or call us at (714) 979-2544. |
Orange County for Darfur
a project of Living Ubuntu We realize people get lots of email. We send no more than a couple of emails per week :) The efforts of one individual – no matter how flawed, how scarred, or how seemingly small – can save huge numbers of lives. And when many individuals express the same desire for change, for action, for compassion, our elected leaders actually listen.
- Don Cheadle & John Prendergast Latest news from
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The Save Darfur Coalition is an alliance of more than 180 religious, political and human rights organizations committed to ending the genocide in Darfur. Save Darfur is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a staff of 30 professional organizers, policy advisors and communications specialists.
In the past, the United States and the international community have failed to prevent and stop genocide because of a lack of political will in our elected officials and among our citizens. There was no political consequence for our leaders if they did not take action. . . until now. The Genocide Intervention Network (GI-NET) is mobilizing a permanent anti-genocide constituency that lobbies our leaders for substantial action, and creates a political cost for those officials who fail to take these necessary actions.
The ENOUGH Project is a policy and advocacy organization working to help build a permanent constituency focused on preventing genocide and crimes against humanity. Using in-depth understanding derived from ongoing field research and experience in government, ENOUGH recommends timely and thoughtful solutions to the U.S. government and the international community for resolving conflicts and achieving sustainable peace.