❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
Tonight Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show had a segment regarding Darfur
Spotlighting... Darfur Dream Team brings schools in Darfuri refugee camps together with schools outside Sudan ...................................................
................................................... The text below is from the website www.darfurdreamteam.org
Young people everywhere are more alike than different. They want a good education and opportunities for the future. Children in refugee camps who have survived the war in Darfur are no different. They dream of quality education and a chance to help rebuild their lives and homes.
When Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets heard about the massive challenges children from Darfur were facing in the refugee camps in Chad, he decided to see for himself. After spending days listening to the harrowing stories of young Darfuris in the refugee camps and their incredible thirst for a better education, he decided to act. When Tracy and his traveling companions from the Enough Project returned, they hatched the idea for the Darfur Dream Team's Sister Schools program linking American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities with schools in the Darfuri refugee camps. Tracy's Journey to the refugee camps in eastern Chad is chronicled in the movie 3 Points.
................................................... 3-points Documentary 1 hour Houston Rocket Tracy McGrady, c0-founder of Darfur Dream Team goes with John Prendergast to Darfuri refugee camp No More Empty Promises
EL FASHER (31 July, 2009) – The leaders of the Internally Displaced People groups (IDPs) in Darfur have refused to cooperate in ‘voluntarily return programmes’ initiated by the government. After their refusal, local security officers came to El Gereida camp (South Darfur) and have arrested three IDP-leaders during the last three days. The leaders were approached by a local committee formed by the government authorities. They explained to the committee that they are not willing to return to their villages unless full security has been restored and the issues of compensation for lost properties and disarmament of militias have been resolved. The names of the detained leaders are Ali Abdel Nagi, Abdallah Mohammed Ibrahim and Mohammed Gamar al Din, all three from Al Gereida camp. The IDP leaders in El Geneina (Rhyad-camp) also told Radio Dabanga that they were approached by a similar type of government committee to return their people, but they refused to discuss since they discovered that their villages and land is already occupied by new settlers. The Abu Shok displaced community near El Fasher also refused to participate in any operation to return their people to the home areas. Sudan has signed international conventions that prohibit any forced return for displaced people and refugees.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Mohamed Suleiman:
The " Voluntary Return" program is one of the plans Gen. Scott Gration is pushing for. This is GoS - Government of Sudan - plan to dismantle the IDP - Internally Dispaced Persons - camps in a hurry to derail the ICC - International Criminal Court - warrant of arrest.
General Gration a few weeks ago in the camp of Kass asked the refugees to return to their villages to catch with the rainy season to farm the lands. The IDP leaders told him that their lands are occupied by the pro-GoS militias.
IDPs are accusing the national NGOs in Darfur ‘to merchandise their sufferings’, while gaining large amounts of money for their own benefits. One IDP leader in Abu Shouk camp told Radio Dabanga in detail how Zubair Charity is marketing the suffering of the IDPs to receive considerable money to siphon it. He says that the Zubair organization brought clothing for 2000 people. The packs were well wrapped and brought to the camp leaders. The charity stayed until they were filmed and photographed, but left before they unpacked the aid. After opening the parcels the clothes were dilapidated and turned out to be rags. After asking for explanation, the Zubair Charity refused to come back. The national aid campaign by Sudanese NGO’s started after 13 international NGOs were expelled from Darfur after the indictment of President Omar al Bashir.
ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO STAND BY AND DO NOTHING MORE THAN CONDEMN WITH YOUR WORDS?
WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!
THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE "SAME OLD WINE IN A BRAND NEW BOTTLE":
"The Government of Sudan’s disastrous decision to expel humanitarian relief organizations leaves a void that will be filled by deprivation and despair and they will be held accountable for the lives lost."
JUST WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?REALLY!
Throw we citizen humanitarians a "bone" or two.
Talk to us.
It looks and sounds like the same old lies....
We want to believe you are different. ........................................................
........................................................ The Same Old Wine (in a Brand New Bottle) Loggins and Messina Uploaded bylarinyx
Sudan's president says warrant is conspiracy
By SARAH EL DEEB – Mar 5, 2009
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan's president, wanted by an international court on war crimes charges, denounced the tribunal, the U.N. and aid agencies on Thursday as part of a new "colonialism" that aims to destabilize his country.
President Omar al-Bashir danced and waved a cane defiantly before thousands of supporters, as the arrest warrant had its first repercussions on the ground. Sudan ordered at least 11 aid agencies to leave Darfur and cease operations in retaliation for the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant. The groups started the process of moving out Thursday.
Aid workers warned that the expulsion order could spark a humanitarian crisis for up to 2 million people in Darfur who are directly served by the agencies, receiving food, shelter and medical supplies.
In Zamzam Camp, one of the largest Darfur refugee camps, residents said aid workers who operate daily in the camps did not show up on Thursday. Refugees said they were now feared what will happen when their most recent monthly delivery of food and other supplies run out if aid workers don't return. Particularly worrisome is the pullout of health workers, and the possibility of disease outbreaks in the upcoming rainy season.
"After God, we only have the organizations" to help us, said Zamzam camp resident Ibrahim Safi, 34. He called the expulsion order a "catastrophe."
Speaking for the first time since the warrant was issued Wednesday, al-Bashir told a Cabinet meeting that those agencies, the U.N. and the tribunal are "tools of the new colonialism" meant to bring Sudan and its resources under control.
Al-Bashir accused the aid organizations of trying to disrupt peace efforts in Darfur, profiting from the conflict and interfering with foreign investment. He said his government ordered them out of Darfur because they violated the law.
"We in Sudan have always been a target of the U.N. and these organizations because we have said, 'No,'" al-Bashir said. "We said the resources of Sudan should go to the people of Sudan."
Hasabo Abdel-Rahman, the head of the government agency coordinating humanitarian affairs, also accused the aid groups cooperating with the ICC and offering the court "false" testimonies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following is from the Stop Genocide Now www.stopgenocidenow.orgKatie-Jay Scott. The button in my heading will take you to their website. They will blog and video message (vlog) daily from Chad. Check it out. It is an invaluable source for on-the-ground and up-front-and-personal information.
Dear Activist Leaders for Darfur,
This past week, our team camped out at the LA Federal Building and co-organized a huge emergency rally for Darfur on Tuesday. We hoisted a Darfur tent on the roof top as Obama flew over after a local town hall meeting. Secretary Clinton received over 1500 text messages in the past week and half for Darfur. Finally, they appointed a Special Envoy to Sudan. But this is only the beginning of renewed activism for Darfur. There have been emerency rallies in New York, Boston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Texas, and I know more are being planned.
Now, this Saturday, I depart once again with the i-ACT team of Stop Genocide Now for the Darfur refugee camps in Chad. The situation on the ground is terrible, as we all know. Many believe that those who escape this slow genocide will be forced to walk for days across the desert - a story we have heard before - to Chad and Central African Republic. Now more than ever, the Darfuris need you to step up and speak out for them. Take action like you have never before.
To meet the survivors in grave danger and hear their stories, please follow us and join the community of i-ACTivists as we journey to the region. 10 Consecutive days of i-ACT begin March 23rd - video web casting, daily journals, photos, and ACTION items can be found at our site! Please spread the word:
Download the attached flyer - post at your school, workplace, community, place of worship, everywhere and anywhere!
We have a button for your to publish on your site (feel free to also download any materials while we are out there and embed them - all under Creative Commons)
Please share this brief paragraph with your group, and add a personal invite to them from you:
Over the last few weeks the situation in Darfur has grown exponentially dire. President al-Bahsir indicted. 16 aid agencies expelled. Food, water, medicine, and shelter supplies will run out soon, if not already. Hundreds of thousands may die if we do act urgently for the people of Darfur.
For 10 consecutive days, i-ACT (interactive-activism) will connect you with the faces and lives of Darfur refugees who escaped, for now, genocide in their homeland. Watch videos from the field team; read journal entries and add your comments; take action daily that will change the way the world responds to genocide. The violence and insecurity in and around Darfur has escalated since the ICC announced an arrest warrant for Sudan's President al-Bashir. Thirteen aid groups providing life saving services have been expelled from Darfur, leaving 4.7 million without help. Visit Stop Genocide Now i-ACT (www.stopgenocidenow.org/iact) to join the community, learn what Darfuris are saying about the ICC and justice and personally connect with a child who needs your voice and action. Many may die in the next weeks, and your voice and action is needed now more than ever.
We depart in less than 2 days for the field but I will be available until then for questions etc. After that please post your questions and comments on the website! If you have daily action items you want to suggest we use - please send them my way and we will try to incorporate them!
With much hope for Darfur! ktj
-- KTJ Scott Director of Community Programming Stop Genocide Now www.stopgenocidenow.org i-ACT (interactive-activism)
I uploaded it twice - here is the one I was trying to improve upon. Didn't really, but I'm still on a huge learning curve. Only my second video.
Text at my Youtube posting:
Music Selections: "Autumn Leaves " performed by Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Alley
"Dark of the Moon" - performed by Libana - Night Passage
"Ise Oluwa" performed by Libana - Night Passage From West Africa's Yoruba culture. The translation: That which the Creator has made can never be destroyed.
Music selections are available at www.amazon.com and iTunes
The letter to President Obama was written March 12, 2009 and sent through the White House website contact form, as well as, a letter the old-fashioned way through the United States Postal Service.
Although the government of Sudan (GoS) denies it (just like former President Bush denies he condoned illegal torture. However, neither denial makes it any less the truth): 2003 - through to present: Genocide of unarmed Darfuri families is supported by the government of Sudan
March 4, 2009 Judges at The International Criminal Court ordered the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with war crimes and crimes against humanity for playing an essential role in the murder, rape, torture, pillage and displacement of large numbers of civilians in Darfur. However, the judges did not charge him with genocide as the prosecutor had requested.
The Sudanese government has long vowed to resist the court, and it summoned several humanitarian organizations to a meeting almost immediately after the warrant was announced.
The British charity Oxfam said that the government had revoked its license to operate, a decision the group said could affect more than 600,000 people. Doctors Without Borders from Holland, which provides health care in one of the worlds biggest camps for displaced people, in South Darfur, was ordered to leave the country.
One aid official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, because of negotiations to persuade the government to back down, said the following; It happened right after the announcement. The connection was clear.
The government of Sudan began expelling humanitarian aid agencies from Darfur (March 4, 2009). Thirteen to sixteen agencies have been forced out of the region. This expulsion leaves one million Darfuris without water, food and medical assistance.
Call the USA Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 202-647-6575
The USA State Department public comment line 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Obama chooses Sudan envoy, to announce Wednesday Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:33pm EDT
March 18, 2009 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is set to name retired Air Force General Scott Gration as his special envoy to Sudan, where he has warned of a worsening crisis following the expulsion of foreign aid organizations.
We Are All the Keepers of Justice.
In Sudan, there is an emergency.
Silence kills in its complicity to killing by treachery.
March 18, 2009
Meningitis is spreading through Darfur IDP camps. Now more than ever immunization is needed in all camps: 1- New cases climbed to 38 cases in Kalma IDP camp (South camp). 2- Nine cases in Kassab IDP camps (North Darfur).
Situation in Zamzam IDP camps is deteriorating rapidly. 1- There are 63,000 new comers since January without any services or registration. They gather on the bare ground of the Camp. They are the first casualties of NGOs expulsion. 2- Water problem is getting worse. some women and children spend close to 11 hours at the pump just to fill one 4-gallon plastic container. 3- Clinics are closed in the camp. Only God knows how acute the health situation in the camp in the absence of NGOs.
The government of Sudan ordered banks in Sudan to freeze bank accounts of 15 NGO's, of which 12 of them were expelled.
The NGO's are:
1- International Rescue Committee - U.S.A. 2- CARE - U.S.A. 3- Save The Children - U.S.A. 4- Save The Children - UK. 5- Development & Rebuilding Org - U.S.A. 6- TATCO - U.S.A. 7- Refugees Council Org.- Norway 8- Khartoum Center for Human Rights- Sudan 9- Solidarity Organization - France 10- Anti Starvation Org. - France. 11- Doctors -Without - Borders- France 12- OXFAM - UK. 13-MERCY - U.S.A. 14- SUDO - Sudan 15- AMAL Sudan
Threatening, empty hope-filled words aren't going to do anything but allow Omar al-Bashir to become bolder and bolder, President Obama.
Email text from Massachusetts Save Darfur Community Activist Leader and Investors Against Genocide leader:
Clinton and now Obama have said:
The Government of Sudan’s disastrous decision to expel humanitarian relief organizations leaves a void that will be filled by deprivation and despair and they will be held accountable for the lives lost.
We know that people have already died because of al-Bashir expelled aid groups. How many more lives have to be lost before our government is acting? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Press Release) March 18, 2009
President Obama Announces Major General Scott Gration as U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan
Today, I am pleased to join Secretary Clinton in announcing the appointment of Major General J. Scott Gration as the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan. General Gration’s personal and professional background, and his service to the country as both a military leader and a humanitarian, give him the insights and experience necessary for this assignment.
Sudan is a priority for this Administration, particularly at a time when it cries out for peace and for justice. The worsening humanitarian crisis there makes our task all the more urgent.
I have made clear my intention to work with the international community to end the suffering. That means supporting the full, unobstructed deployment of the joint African Union/United Nations peacekeeping force and the negotiation of a political solution that will give the people of Darfur a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their future. The Government of Sudan’s disastrous decision to expel humanitarian relief organizations leaves a void that will be filled by deprivation and despair and they will be held accountable for the lives lost.
As we work to bring peace to Darfur, we will continue to work with both parties to Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement to ensure its full and complete implementation. All parties must see this through if Sudan and the surrounding region are to enjoy lasting stability.
I have worked closely and directly with General Gration for several years, and have traveled with him to refugee camps in Chad filled with those who were displaced by the genocide in Darfur. He is a valued personal friend and I am pleased he has accepted this assignment. He knows the region, has broad experience, and has my complete confidence. Standing alongside Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice, his appointment is a strong signal of my Administration’s commitment to support the people of Sudan while seeking a lasting settlement to the violence that has claimed so many innocent lives.
Five videos about the Darfur situation ....................................................
A refugee from Darfur in the Djabal refugee camp in Chad talks about reports from family members still in Darfur on new attacks by Janjaweed rebels just a few days after the International Criminal Court issued its arrest-warrant for Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir.
He says some 300 huts were burnt and six people killed in one specific incident. Other refugees in Djabal said their relatives were too afraid to leave for Chad because the roads are controlled by the Janjaweed, and also said they
FIlmed during a EUFOR Tchad/RCA press trip. Interview by Raymond Frenken.
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Aid officials said there were fears of fresh disease outbreaks in two Darfur refugee camps after residents refused to let state-backed aid agencies come in to replace expelled humanitarians.
Sudan expelled 13 foreign aid groups and closed three local organisations this month, accusing them of helping the International Criminal Court build up a war crimes case against the country's president. The groups deny working with the court.
The expulsions sparked international outrage with aid groups warning the closures would have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by the conflict.
Sudanese government aid officials said the expelled groups' work would be covered by remaining international organisations and scores of local groups that authorities were planning to bring into the area.
But aid officials and activists said residents of South Darfur's huge Kalma and Kass camps were refusing aid from state-backed organisations, even though they were running short of medicines, food aid and clean water.
Hussein Abu Sharati, who says he represents displaced Darfuris in 158 camps, said Kalma residents had met and voted to refuse all aid from Sudanese groups. "They don't see these groups as aid organisations, they see them as tools of the government," he told Reuters by satellite phone.
"IDPs (internally displaced people) in Kalma and Kass are refusing all access to the government and local aid groups even if it means receiving less water or a greater risk of disease," said an aid worker from one of the ousted organisations, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The worker said residents had blocked state deliveries of fuel for their own generators, set up to pump fresh water in to the camp, raising the risk of the spread of diseases like cholera. Camp leaders had refused to let Ministry of Health officials vaccinate residents against a meningitis outbreak.
The reports were impossible to verify independently as international journalists have not been able to get travel permits to visit Kalma and surrounding camps in recent days.
Kalma and Kass are home to tens of thousands of people who fled their homes after raids and attacks by government troops and militias during the Darfur conflict.
International experts say almost six years of fighting has uprooted 2.7 million people. Many of the camps that have taken them in have become highly politicised.
Darfur's joint U.N./African Union UNAMID peacekeeping force has said it is ready to do what it can to fill any humanitarian gaps left by the expulsions of the aid agencies.
"UNAMID does not have a mandate for humanitarian assistance. But it is not going to let people die," said Daniel Augstburger, head of the humanitarian sector for the U.N. Mission in Darfur.
Aid workers have been concerned about suggestions the peacekeepers might take on humanitarian work in Sudan.
"Gradually the line between peacekeepers and aid workers gets blurred and then everyone becomes a fair target," said one.
Armed men attacked an UNAIMD patrol in South Darfur this week, killing one Nigerian peacekeeper.
Five workers for the Belgian arm of Medecins Sans Frontieres were kidnapped in North Darfur last week and held for three days by a group that, government officials said, was protesting against the International Criminal Court.
AND SINCE 2003 THE DARFURI PEOPLE HAVE TO FEEL ABANDONED
WHEN IT IS ALL OVER SOME DAY - WE WILL SAY "NEVER AGAIN"
AGAIN
Text of email March 13, Friday, 2009 from Sudanese living in U.S.A.:
1 Water situation in the Kass internally displace persons (IDP) camp (West Darfur) is critical. Armed men in uniform in vehicles (probably government affiliated) came and took all diesel fuel that runs the engines for the water pumps.
2 More evidences emerge pointing towards involvement of pro-government militia (the Janjaweed) in the kidnapping of the Doctors-Without-Borders individuals. The government of Sudan (GoS) is negotiating with the kidnappers who demanded the equivalent of 3/4 million dollars in ransom money to release the hostages.
3 Hamidiyah IDP camp refugees were able to capture a militia individual who entered the camp, he was handed over to the UNAM http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamid/ unit. The capture individual confessed that he is originally from the country of Niger and was recruited among others by Musa Hilal.
4 The Security agents of GoS seized the buildings of the expelled non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They took the keys and are conducting interrogations of the owners. Some Darfuris in Diaspora got news from relatives that some of the questions asked by the security interrogators regarded detailed information about the Darfuris in Diaspora (especially those who live in U.S.A., UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavian countries).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following text is from a non-profit organization Stop Genocide Now that goes to the Darfuri refugee camps and sends us daily videos from there.
i-ACT Interactive-ACTivism connects the surviving victims of this genocide with those who want to help, creating an interconnected community. i-ACT uses the power of the internet to put a face to the mind numbing numbers of dead, dying, and displaced. i-ACT visitors to our website see the human face of this ongoing crisis through daily field reports; get visuals of conditions in the refugee camps; make comments, ask questions, and post suggestions on our website’s interactive blog feature.
For 10 consecutive days, i-ACT will connect you with the faces and lives of Darfur refugees who escaped, for now, genocide in their homeland.
Watch videos and view photos from Darfur refugee camps; read journal entries and add your comments; take action daily that will change the way the world responds to genocide. We cannot expect our leaders to STAND UP if we are sitting down.
The violence and insecurity in and around Darfur has escalated since the ICC announced an arrest warrant for Sudan’s President al-Bashir. Thirteen international and three Sudanese aid groups providing life saving services have been expelled from Darfur, leaving 4.7 million without help. Peacekeepers were ambushed and injured yesterday in the region. The Government of Sudan is seizing food, vehicles, files (names and locations) and more from aid organizations. Many believer that Darfuris will begin to cross the border with Chad, seeking help.
i-ACT will take you to the people to hear what they say about Justice and peace. For you to see and understand the situation on the ground. Each day there will be a daily action item and, of course, we will be doing the i-ACTivist Challenge once again! The swiftness of our actions needs to match the urgency on the ground."
... Link to Stop Genocide Now site to yours - ADD this button
For 10 consecutive days, i-ACT (interactive-activism) connects you with the faces and lives of Darfur refugees who escaped, for now, genocide in their homeland. Watch videos from the field team; read journal entries and add your comments; take action daily that will change the way the world responds to genocide. The violence and insecurity in and around Darfur has escalated since the ICC announced an arrest warrant for Sudan’s President al-Bashir. Thirteen aid groups providing life saving services have been expelled from Darfur, leaving 4.7 million without help.
...considerdonatingtowards new technology to make this i-ACT happen. Stop Genocide Nowhates asking for money, but once again they are heading to the region on a tight budget.They have used the same digital cameras since their first i-ACT trip in 2005, and their video cameras from 2008 are at their end. Every bit would help them. Thank you.
And the following is an email received today from another person, who will go to the Darfur refugee camps from Stop Genocide Now:
Dear friends and family:
It was in December of 2004, when I first sent out one of these e-mails talking about Darfur. It went out to my family and a couple of friends, a total of recipients that stayed in the single digits. Pretty much all it said was, "Have you heard about what is happening in a place called Darfur!?"
Most recently, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudan President al Bashir. As expected, his response was to unleash once again an intense hell for innocent civilians in a place that has been hellish for over six years. The people of Darfur still speak of Justice.
The statistics are, horrific. More than one million are in imminent danger, with very limited supplies. Millions more are next in line to face starvation, lack of water and medical services. Diarrhea and meningitis threaten to become major killers in this nightmare that is picking up speed.
These numbers, which are probably conservative, again made me feel small and made me feel guilty. As a part of a historical movement to stop genocide, I feel that we have failed to act to avert the disaster we saw coming from miles away. The movement continued with business as usual and was not willing to demonstrate the outrage required to push our leaders towards action.
I am right now sitting next to a tent outside of the Federal building in Los Angeles. It is 2:08am. We are staying here and more will come tomorrow and throughout the weekend and in to this coming week. It has to be the start of a new level of activism for us in LA but also for others across the country. We must stand for justice in Darfur, and we must stand for protection of innocent civilians. As we heard over and over again at the camps on our last visit, peace and justice must come together; they are both part of the same.
In a little more than a week, we'll also be sitting next to tents, but in a refugee camp close to the Chad/Darfur border. You'll get to hear from the people of Darfur yourselves. Don't wait to act, though. Come out and join us. Let's get together and be loud in our outrage!
This e-mail now goes out to more than single digit recipients, but we are still a small community. Let's be as loud as if we were millions, so that millions can stay alive.
I am now asking you to make a commitment to do something for Darfur.
The Government of Sudan has expelled 13 humanitarian aid organizations from Darfur, North and East Sudan. Millions of lives are at immediate risk; these organizations represent approximately 60% of the aid operational capacity.
Tell your Representative in the House to sign on to Representative Capuano's letter to the Arab League, African Union and China (Sudan's allies) asking them to persuade Sudan to allow these NGOs to return.. And, ask your Congressperson to call any contacts in these countries, making the same appeal.
It's Easy and Free: Please call 1-800-436-6243 between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT TODAY or MONDAY. After the message heard about Secretary of State Clinton, select Option #1 and key in your zip code. You will be connected to your Representative's office.
The point is that we know what can happen when mad men are left to their whims. To avoid mass death in Sudan, which is realistic to expect from the Sudanese government upon its own people, someone, SOMEone needs to lead the world in some sane and preventive actions. With the fact that NGO (non-governmental organizations) are being expelled from Sudan - where they had been keeping alive millions of unprotected families (from their own government) with food, water and medical services for years - we are gambling the lives and deaths of millions. We, as in you, me and our government along with other governments who claim they are civilized, need to make sure that water, food and protection is gotten to those in Sudan who will die without it.
As you know, the Darfuri people have been in crisis since 2003. You were one of the U.S. Senators who gave voice to the genocide and the need for leadership and action to save people from genocidal actions. And now as President, I hope you will act in a leadership role, especially now since President Bashir is expelling the very agencies that have been at the front of helping the helpless.
Those citizens of us who have been taking a stand against genocide are extremely concerned that the non-governmental organizations that have provided water, food and medical services to the victims of a genocidal government are being forced out by Bashir. We know what can happen if we have no backup plan in case the expulsions are not reversed, as you have called for. And it is a big “IF” that can very well become present and then past. Those of us who are engaged as citizen activists, to say the least, are impatient. Many of us are angry. Angry that we are still having to ask our elected representatives to do the right things regarding such tragic inhumanity.
Personally, I got involved in 2004 as an activist against genocide. And it was in direct response to making myself educated about the Rwandan genocide of 1994. I do not want to be part of complicity. I know we are all the keepers of justice. And I know where there is a will there is a way. Let us use our will to make a way about this defining issue.
In Sudan, we have an emergency. As you said, President Obama, “We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEd583-fA8M November 2007) And yet, that is what we have done repeatedly, year after year - murder after murder, rape after rape, starved to death after starved to death, torched village after torched village, lost childhood after lost childhood. We have said “never” and never meant it.
I took time off my Darfur activism to work as a volunteer in New Hampshire for a week, my home state of Rhode Island and phone banking for New Jersey for the “Obama for America” campaign. And the reason was that I believed you would make the difference we needed to stop what is going on with the Darfuri families.
Today, I was on a national conference call that was prompted by average people who are so frayed by the situation in Sudan and what looks like lack of forward-looking action needed to stave off what will inevitably come without the needed leadership. The game-playing by the Sudanese government has only been in competition with the game-maneuvering of the international leaders who have allowed the genocide to go on and on.
As activists we have been lobbying, rallying, emailing, calling our elected politicians, organizing, divesting, sending letters to the editors, blogging about Darfur. Activists have kept Darfur in the news when the media has chosen to primarily marginalize the story at best. We have tugged and tugged. And people are dying of thirst for water, tonight. I have a warm bed at night, but there are Darfuri children who have never known a night with a comfortable bed because they were born in a refugee camp. And perhaps born from a rape that came from one of the Janjaweed. This is “our defining moment” as you so correctly said repeatedly. Please, don’t let us be defined by lack of leadership, our inaction and toothless rhetoric regarding Darfuri people.
We are outraged. We are worried. As an activist, I am crying out to you because I believe you mean what you say. We, the people of the keepers of justice, want you to take the measured, dramatic, bold steps needed to get water, food and protection to the Darfuri people of Sudan. If the leadership doesn’t come from you, Mr. President, then who? If not, now, it may be too late for those on the brink of becoming not only voiceless, but breathless.
With much respect,
Sandra Hammel
GENOCIDE STOPS WITH US - LET'S MAKE IT PAST HISTORY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Email text received today, March 12, 2009 from a Sudanese living in exile in the USA
This is some of what is happening in Darfur:
1 Eyewitnesses say armed men on two vehicles kidnapped five aid workers from Doctors-Without-Borders workers in a hospital in Saraf Omrah location in Central Darfur. The kidnapped workers: one French national, one Italian national, one Canadian national, 2 Sudanese nationals (guards).
Doctors-Without -Borders organization is one of the organizations that medically treats and documents cases of rape and other atrocities, which angered Government of Sudan (GoS).
2 Situation in the large cities of Darfur is extremely tense. News from Elfasher is that there was sporadic gun fire in the last five days. Janjaweed forces are seen roaming the city freely and assaulting citizens.
3 A Darfuri activist in Midwest ( U.S.A.) told me this morning that GoS security agents are looking for her sister in Nyala (South Darfur). She said her sister has no political affiliation or activities. She believes that Government of Sudan's agents in U.S.A. has a hand in what is going on to her family back home. (All demonstrations supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) decision on March 4, 2009 in major U.S. cities by Diaspora of Darfur were taped by GoS agents. This Darfuri activist is a student in a university. She told me she cancelled all classes today just to keep calling her relatives in Sudan, Arabian Gulf countries, to follow up situation in Darfur.
4 Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) (refugees) in a camp in west Darfur (UmTagook) were forced to get out to demonstate (yesterday Wednesday, March 11, 2009) to condemn the ICC warrant of arrest. A satellite TV channel from Khartoum (Alshoroug TV) taped the forced-demonstration to be shown nation-wide.
5 Retributions are going on against outspoken IDP camps leaders. Thurday, March 12, 2009: IDP camp (West Darfur) leader Sheikh Haroun Mohamed Ishag was lead out by armed men and killed by gun fire at about distance of a 1/2 a mile from the camp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another of his emails just arrived at 1:06 a.m. USA EST March 13, 2009.
Here is the text:
In a new escalation, today Government of Sudan ordered Banks in Sudan to freeze Bank accounts of 15 NGO's, of which 12 of them were expelled.
The NGO's are:
1- International Rescue Committee - U.S.A. 2- CARE - U.S.A. 3- Save The Children - U.S.A. 4- Save The Children - UK. 5- Development & Rebuilding Org - U.S.A. 6- TATCO - U.S.A. 7- Refugees Council Org.- Norway 8- Khartoum Center for Human Rights- Sudan 9- Solidarity Organization - France 10- Anti Starvation Org. - France. 11- Doctors -Without - Borders- France 12- OXFAM - UK. 13-MERCY - U.S.A. 14- SUDO - Sudan 15- AMAL - Sudan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A link to a previous post of mine regarding Darfur:
Barack Obama answers the Save Darfur Coalitionabout his plan to end the genocide in Darfur Posted on November 26, 2007 by savedarfurcoalition "The United States has a moral obligation anytime you see humanitarian catastrophes..." "...And when you see a genocide whether it's in Rwanda, or Bosnia or in Darfur - that's a stain on all of us, that's a stain on our souls...
I think the level of commitment and the way that I've spoken out on this issue indicates not only knowledge but also passion in bringing an end to this crisis.
It's very encouraging to see activism based not on self interest but on a moral imperative. And it's especially heartening to see the young people engaged in expressing their idealism through this movement.
We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again. And as President of the United States, I don't intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter." Barack Obama, November 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 11, 2009 White House Briefing
Q Robert, last week 13 humanitarian groups were kicked out of Darfur because of the -- or following the indictment of Bashir. The activist groups are writing the President today asking him to show some leadership to try to get those groups back in. One in a million people are without food aid and potable water and health care. What is the President doing, if anything, on this to get those groups back in?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think last night he spoke on this with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in saying clearly that decisions that have been made by the government of Sudan that affect greatly the safety and security of the people of Sudan should be reversed. I think the President has been clear on that for a number of days, including the very first day when news broke about this -- asking that the government, in order to protect its people, show restraint in any of its actions.
Obviously that hasn't completely been followed and the decisions that the government has made to expel those NGOs that protect innocent people, those decisions should be reversed.
Q Would he send somebody to talk to Bashir about it? Would he do something at the U.N. beyond talking to Ban Ki-moon?
MR. GIBBS: We may have more on that later in the week, but I don't have any update on that now.
Q And also, on Darfur. Right now the ICC's arrest warrant on Bashir, it's basically symbolic. And the President has talked about the issues of Africa and Darfur when he was a candidate. Is he going to try to help put some teeth behind what is viewed as something symbolic, as you say, possibly this week?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I make it a practice not to get ahead of anything that he may do or say --
Q Just this once.
MR. GIBBS: Well, I appreciate the opportunity to do so. I will decline. But I think that -- again, I think the -- I don't -- I certainly don't think it's symbolic to sit in the Oval Office and ask that decisions about NGOs and the protection of innocent people be reconsidered. I think that's -- those are certainly important. And the President obviously has great concern and hopes to see progress in peace in that area. And I think that's what he's worked to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Press Release March 11, 2009
DARFUR ADVOCACY GROUPS URGE IMMEDIATE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP TO SOLVE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Groups: Sudan’s decision to restrict flow of aid represents possible prelude to humanitarian catastrophe of highest magnitude
WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition today called on President Obama to press the Sudanese government to immediately reinstate the licenses of 13 international humanitarian groups expelled from Darfur last week. In a letter cosigned by 54 coalition partners, the groups said that the administration should urgently undertake a sustained diplomatic effort to resolve the Darfur crisis and restore peace to all of Sudan..
“We know from your commitment to Darfur as a senator and your campaign pledge of ‘unstinting resolve’ to end the Darfur genocide that you believe the United States and its citizens cannot stand by while civilians are unjustly targeted by their own government,” the groups wrote in the letter. “Now, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, we must act immediately. Any delay will lead to even greater loss of life in Darfur.”
The organizations expelled from Darfur are a part of a humanitarian apparatus that provides relief to 4.7 million Darfuri civilians. It is estimated by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance that their expulsion will leave 1.1 million Darfuris without food aid, 1.5 million without access to healthcare and more than one million without potable water.
“The denial of life-saving food, water and medical care in Darfur is a human rights violation that endangers health and threatens lives,” said Frank Donaghue, CEO of Physicians for Human Rights. “The recent outbreak of meningitis in Darfur’s Kalma Camp is just the beginning of the widespread suffering that the expulsion of humanitarian aid groups will cause.
The full text of the letter appears here:
March 11, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC
Dear President Obama,
Darfur demands your attention now. Millions of lives are at risk, and your direct engagement can not be delayed.
We are a broad coalition of faith-based, human rights and advocacy organizations, and on behalf of our constituencies we implore you to respond immediately to the increasingly urgent situation in Sudan.
As you know, the licenses of over a dozen humanitarian aid organizations have been revoked by the government of Sudan, leaving millions of Darfuri civilians at immediate risk of disease and starvation.. You, along with other world leaders, must immediately and publicly condemn President Bashir's actions and insist that he restore access to life-saving humanitarian aid.
We know from your commitment to Darfur as a senator and your campaign pledge of "unstinting resolve" to end the Darfur genocide that you believe that the United States and its citizens cannot stand by while civilians are unjustly targeted by their own government. Since you were elected our president, over 250,000 Americans have signed postcards asking that your administration take swift and strong action to end the genocide in Darfur. Now, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, we must act immediately. Any delay will lead to even greater loss of life in Darfur.
The Sudanese government's decision to restrict the flow of humanitarian aid to Darfur represents the possible prelude to a humanitarian catastrophe of the highest magnitude. The 13 organizations that had their licenses revoked are some of the largest international aid groups in Darfur and sustain an apparatus that provides the last remaining lifeline for 4.7 million conflict-affected Darfuri people.
The time is now for the United States to immediately undertake an urgent, sustained diplomatic push to resolve the conflict in Darfur, including the reopening of humanitarian access. Sudan's recent actions reinforce the need to appoint a full-time Sudan envoy with the stature, mandate and authority to drive all aspects of Sudan policy.
We are counting on your leadership, President Obama. But more importantly, so are the people of Darfur.
Sincerely,
Jerry Fowler
President, Save Darfur Coalition
CC: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Ambassador Susan Rice
No security. No food. The "lose-lose" situation in Darfur keeps getting worse. There are a few people left who can talk some sense into the government of Sudan. Urge them to speak up now
The Sudanese government has left starvation as the only option in Darfur.
In a move that can only be described as retaliatory, the Sudanese government expelled or suspended the operations of 16 humanitarian aid organizations in Darfur and across Sudan just over one week ago. This action came soon after a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Darfur is the largest humanitarian aid operation in the world.Removing these essential groups from working in Darfur is like tearing life support from a critical patient.
If Sudan doesn't hear the truth from someone it trusts, then it will continue to travel down this very dangerous path.
What's really happening here, according to Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Africa Program, is that "the Sudanese government is holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage". It's unthinkable that a government would harm its own people in this way.
Without these important groups working on the ground to provide medicine, food, and water, civilians who were forced to flee their homes once to avoid being killed, raped or tortured, may now be forced to become displaced again. If life-saving supplies can't get through to the people, then the people will have basically run out of options.
The neighboring country, Chad, is already bursting at the seams trying to support more than 250,000 refugees who fled Darfur to escape the violence. Ongoing insecurity and instability in Chad, as well as limited resources, will make accommodating a new exodus of refugees from Darfur next to impossible.
We've seen cruelty manifest itself in many different ways throughout the course of the conflict in Darfur. But this most recent act of retaliation by the Sudanese government is particularly callous.
It's up to us to preserve the last life-saving option displaced Darfuris have left.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Save Darfur Coalition
Dear Sandra,
Last week, the Sudanese government kicked 13 humanitarian organizations out of Darfur. The situation has not improved, and if the status quo remains, there will be a humanitarian catastrophe in the coming months.
The Chinese government, and the governments of Arab League and African Union members are key to resolving the current impass. We are requesting that they use their influence with the Sudanese government to secure a reversal of the decision to expel the aid groups, and to make clear that the United States will never support a trade-off of humanitarian access in exchange for concessions over the International Criminal Court. We are urging Members of Congress to sign "Dear Colleague letters" with this message to the heads of the Arab League, African Union, and China.
Please join us in this effort by calling your Representative and asking that he or she sign the three Darfur letters being circulated by Representative Michael Capuano and Representative Michael McCaul. The letters are addressed to China, the Arab League, and African Union and call on each to pressure the Sudanese Government to reverse its decision and allow the 13 expelled aid agencies back into the country.
If world leaders joing together humanitarian aid can be restored to the people of Darfur. But, we need you to call your Representative today.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
................................................
Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
................................................
Spain Time
................................................
Melbourne Time
................................................
Hawaii Time
...............................................
...............................................
RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
