Why Darfur?

HISTORY
A long and complicated history has characterized the region, often tinged with overtones of ethnic cleansing. Specifically, Darfur has faced decades of graphic violence over land and grazing rights between mostly nomadic Arabs and native Darfuri farmers. The Darfuri farmers have always been subject to attacks by nomadic Arabs.

The current conflict resurged in 2003 when rebel groups (e.g., The Darfur Liberation Front), angered over the lack of response from the Sudanese government, attacked government targets. A brutal pattern of violence, repression and gross human rights abuses by the Sudanese government and its allied militia, the Jangawid, has been inflicted on the people of Darfur.

IMPACT
• 300,000 men, women, and children have died
• 2.6 million have been displaced from their homes and live in camps for refugees or Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) or wherever they can
• An unknown number of women and girls have been abducted, raped, and abused
• A generation of children has reached school-age not knowing a home or having been educated
• A growing number of child-soldiers are participating in the abuse