Living Darfur

Easily, one of the worst humanitarian crisis known to us, the Darfur conflict has long breached the threshold of human tolerance. The ethnic conflict between the government forces and warring rebel factions has resulted in the death of more than 300,000 people, directly affected 4.7 million and resulted in the displacement of 2.7 million people. The scourge of disease, malnutrition and abuse run high in the region with the issue of Human Rights tossed far beyond dustbins, if any!

It was on April 8th, 2004, that the government of Sudan and two rebel groups entered into the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement under the auspices of the United Nations. However, the situation on the ground has changed little and many such agreements have been signed, endorsed and forgotten.

This message by Mattafix, called Living Darfur, is a very powerful tribute to the people of Darfur, for their unending will to survive the evils of war and yet conduct life peacefully. I had a teardrop in the corner of my eye when I watched it the first time on VH1 in 2007. I'm not sure of the following embedded video is accessible, if not please click at the beginning of this paragraph for the You Tube link or visit Mattafix's web page and click the "Watch Living Darfur" link, under the "New Album Rhythm & Hymns" section.

Is it a mere coincidence that Gautama Buddha was born on April 08th? I wonder what it takes to give peace a chance!

Footnotes

Image Courtesy - Cover Photo, Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan (As per Original Copyright)
Video Input - Mattafix & YouTube (Living Darfur - As per Original Copyright)

Suggested Reading
Darfur Conflict
Sudan Information Gateway - United Nations
Darfur Humanitarian Profile No. 33