Operation Blessing field worker David Darg sent an urgent message to several of us here at CBN this week pleading for additional help for the suffering Sudanese in Darfur. He said, “The human suffering I have encountered on this trip has been the worst I have ever seen in all my travels. What OB is doing and has the potential to do amongst the refugees of Darfur is astounding, we are truly making an impact and saving lives!”
Our CWN report this week details some of the work Operation Blessing International is doing in partnership with the German humanitarian organization, Humedica. While they are providing assistance to more than 40,000 refugees in three camps, the overall need in Darfur is overwhelming. There’s no end in sight.
More than 2-million Darfurians are suffering in refugee camps in Darfur and neighboring Chad. Nearly a quarter-of-a-million have died since fighting between the Sudanese government and various Muslim militias began three years ago. The United Nations released its latest Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Darfur on October 19th saying that malnutrition rates among children under five are up slightly this year over 2005, but significantly below the 21.8% rate of 2004. Apparently international relief organizations are making a difference, but the U.N. warns escalating violence in Darfur could quickly reverse the gains made to date.
The United States along with the U.N. have urged Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir
to allow 22,000 U.N. troops to come in to provide security so the internally displaced Darfurians can get the food, water and medical assistance they need. 7,000 African Union troops are already in place, but their numbers aren’t great enough to stop the violence.
So far, El Bashir has refused to invite the U.N. troops in—an act required by U.N. Charter before they can set foot on Darfurian soil. El Bashir fears the placement of U.N.troops in his country is part of a western plot to “colonize” Sudan and control its lucrative oil production.
Meanwhile, as the stalemate continues more Darfurians will die. The need is greater than ever for Christians around the world to help support Christian relief efforts in Darfur and neighboring Chad. Some Christians may find it difficult to help Muslims, especially in Sudan where a 22-year jihad to Islamize the south claimed two million Christians lives. Jesus commands us to love our enemies, to pray for them (Matt 5:44) and to do good to them without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35).
What better way to honor Christ and demonstrate His love than to help the suffering people of Darfur?
Click on this link to find out more.
