Sudan needs the world's attention

"One million Texans threatened with torture and death by roaming gangs" ...Got your attention? Yup, that would certainly hit the headlines if it were true. Yet when a million folks in a Texas-sized area of Sudan are terrorized - men being slaughtered and girls and women being raped - the world pretty much sits by and we scarcely hear a word.

You can get more news from the Dafur, Sudan news blog - or simply search the internet for news of Sudan. There is news coverage; it just somehow doesn't seem to hit the front pages of the newspapers or the TV news headlines. It's a bit of a mystery to me, really, as there is oil in Sudan, and that sadly seems to be what sometimes motivates us to get involved.

OK, so what can be done? Well, the Bush administration so far has done pretty much nothing. They did start talking about maybe considering sanctions if the attacks don't stop. Hey, that should work (not!) Come on, little threats mean nothing. Plop the sanctions on now, and remove them only after a verified period of peace. Kofi Annan, after ignoring the Rwanda genocide 10 years ago (the Clinton administration also sat idly by) - has just completed a trip to Sudan, and perhaps the UN will get involved this time. The rainy season is coming, so that means very serious health issues for the thousands of displaced Sudanese, on top of the worries about being killed or raped and having your homes torched.

The United States plans to spend US$150 million now through 2005 in aid to Sudan. Meanwhile, we have so far spent about US$120 billion on the Iraq War. Seems to me our priorities are rather messed up. If you can find it in your heart to donate to folks who are actually helping in Sudan, please consider supporting Oxfam International , or go directly to their secure donation page.