By Daniel Hamon
Since its independence in 1956, Sudan has seen what appears to be endless conflict including two civil wars. The current conflict in the Darfur region alone has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and led to the displacement of over two million people. Public opinion has called for international intervention to help relieve the plight of the Sudanese. The United States has responded and is the largest donor in Sudan, providing more than three billion dollars in humanitarian and reconstruction projects since 2005.
According to the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, the assistance to Sudan consists of three components:
- Humanitarian programs serving and providing basic services to displaced people. In Darfur, USAID is helping 3 million people stay alive.
- Emergency food aid: USAID provided two-thirds of all contributions to the United Nations World Food Program targeted for Sudan in 2006.
- Transition initiatives to help support the development of effective civil authorities and an informed civil society that will help move society away from armed conflicts.
Sudan has a population of over 40 million people, 70% of which are Sunni Muslim, 5% Christian and 25% with indigenous beliefs. Ethnically, the country is 52% black, 39% Arab and 6% Beja.
It is so interesting to me that after reading this article I am reminded of all of the "Save Darfur" bumper stickers. Usually a sticker like that let's us know that we should contact our government leaders to take action to save others in another part of the world. I am glad to be informed by Mr. Hamon that, once again, we already are and leading the way! Though we are often told the opposite by the major media, this is another reminder of the generosity of America and her federal government.
Posted by: Bodwell | November 17, 2008 at 08:31 PM