How do we help people in Darfur?

[DMACM]

Today it seems like the largest humanitarian crisis in the world is in Darfur. I have seen many facebook images, t-shirts and TV-shows that say “save Darfur.” I decided recently that I wanted to donate some money to charity so I thought about that cause. I’ve always thought that if I were to donate money I would want it to go to the people that needed it most regardless of their geographic or cultural connection with me. So Darfur seemed like an obvious choice.

However, I hesitated because of a discussion I had on this board a few weeks ago. A couple of posters implied that money sent to Africa for aid would end up lining the pockets of corrupt politicians and in the long run create a disincentive towards creating a sustainable economy.

The first concern, that money would not end up where it was needed is my bigger concern. My first thought was to donate to Oxfam because I trust the charity as efficient. However, I noticed that I would be required to click a box agreeing that the money would not necessarily end up in Darfur. This led me to believe they already had enough money or couldn’t get it in. This suspicion was confirmed when I read on wikipedia that they had pulled out of the largest camp in Darfur, due to their people being killed.

The second concern, that aid actually has a harmful affect seemed less worrisome because Darfur is an extraordinary situation. I have always been a believer in the free market and against socialism in all forms. That said, the situation in Darfur clearly cannot be corrected by market forces. In fact if the region becomes a desert market forces would ensure that either lots of people die, move (but to where?), or are permanently dependant on foreign aid.

Another disturbing fact I read is that the former black villages which were destroyed are being repopulated by Arabs from Chad and Niger. This makes it hard for me to understand why the U.N. won’t admit this is genocide. Also it makes you wonder where these displaced villagers will end up in the long run. Seeing the images of them in the middle of the desert the situation just seems hopeless. Its obvious that at present they are totally dependant on foreign aid for survival.

Ultimately I think the world’s super powers need to step in to a greater extent. There are two reasons I have read that Darfur isn’t receiving enough support from the U.N. or the U.S. First, China is blocking the U.N. from aiding Darfur because of their oil-related economic ties to that country. Second the U.S. is reluctant to help on its own because the Sudanese government had ties to Bin Laden and provides intelligence on high ranking Al Queida members.

I’d like to be able to help in some way but I don’t want to send money if it would be a futile effort. I suppose if there are other outlets where unjust starvation, rape, and murder, and can be stopped I would be just as happy to donate there as to Darfur. Darfur I suppose just attracted my attention because it seemed to me like the location where the most unjust suffering could be alleviated with money. Any suggestions on charities or thoughts are appreciated.

[bobman0330]

A letter to your congressman will probably do more good than money.

[AzDesertRat]

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A letter to your congressman will probably do more good than money.

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Writing to PR people at furtune 500 companies or going there and donating your time will be of more help than anything else. Politicians are morons and some companies may like the PR, especially if you can get pharmas, food distributers, and other companies that provide essentials on board.

[Thug Bubbles]

I'm curious what acist would recommend.

[Borodog]

Guns.

[BCPVP]

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Guns.

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Lots of guns.

[NewTeaBag]

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Guns.

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Lots of guns.

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You guys aren't, like advocating, like armed intervention now iz you?

[T50_Omaha8]

Maybe putting international pressure on China to stop being so buddy-buddy with Sudan would be better than anything else. No matter what kind of charity you are willing to put up, China is going to be propping the apathetic-at-best government up more.

Also, Khartoum has some vision of becoming a sort of Dubai, but this seems perverse in light of what's happening elsewhere in within Sudan's borders.

The world should be very clear that allowing these types of atrocities to occur is unacceptable both for Sudan's tourism aspirations and China's energy policy.

[mjkidd]

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Guns.

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Lots of guns.

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You guys aren't, like advocating, like armed intervention now iz you?

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They are simply saying that the people being genocided need guns to keep free of the genociders. But any charity one gives to "save Darfur" will probably go towards food or refugee camps or other nonsense.

[pokerbobo]

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Guns.

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Lots of guns.

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You guys aren't, like advocating, like armed intervention now iz you?

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They are simply saying that the people being genocided need guns to keep free of the genociders. But any charity one gives to "save Darfur" will probably go towards food or refugee camps or other nonsense. And then be stolen by the warlords with guns

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