How we can respond to injustice in Darfur

by Scott Sutton

My Background
I really miss braided goat intestines. It’s not so much their taste that I miss. Instead, I long for what they represent to the people of the vast Sub-Saharan plains of Eastern Chad. Braided intestines are eaten only at joyous occasions where entire clans came together to celebrate life, good food and close friends. Growing up there as the son of a missionary doctor, I remember sitting with friends around a bowl of this tasty treat and eagerly digging in with our hands. We laughed together, we played soccer in the streets together and we shared our passions and dreams with each other.

I spent 11 years of my life growing up in the sand dunes of Eastern Chad, where my only running water was on the back on a trotting donkey. Although I would to tell you stories of climbing mango trees and riding camels, the sad truth is that I am sharing with you a little about the chaos, misery and suffering that is currently engulfing my friends there.

The Crisis
Ever since 2001, government-back militias in the Darfur region of Sudan have been systematically attacking the local tribes in an “ethnic cleansing” campaign that the UN calls the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” More than 200,000 men, women and children have died in this violence and almost 3 million are running for their lives. Many of these refugees have flowed over the border into Chad (where I grew up) and the violence has followed. To give you an idea of the severity of the crisis and the strain on local resources, a small village named Farchana – which use to be home to about 200 people – is now home to a UN refugee camp with 80,000 refugees. This situation drains water, food and firewood supplies and exacerbates the conflict. The atrocities, such as rape, maiming and massacres, continue to this day.

The World’s Response
The UN has agreed to send 26,000 peacekeepers, but there has been little movement on the ground. China is a major financial backer of Sudan and is doing little with its vast influence to affect change. Currently in Darfur, the world’s largest humanitarian mission is in progress, with daily handouts keeping millions of people alive but a lack of security and harsh weather are serious obstacles. Groups like Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network are focused on raising awareness in the US to help us understand the significance of this genocide.

Our Response
We must have a mature, Godly response this kind of injustice. According to Gary Haugen, author of Good News about Injustice, the step to get this response is to have compassion permanence. Hebrews 13:3 implores us to “remember those who are being mistreated as if you yourself were suffering.” We cannot simply flip the channels from torture to touchdowns and let reality be forgotten. Secondly, we must understand that God knows the world is fallen but commands us to fight injustice. Luke 11:42 describes how God dislikes people who are careful to obey the letter of His law but ignore justice and the love of God.

So What Can I Do?
Although the crisis is really horrible and the numbers are staggering, we should not lose hope. There are many ways that ordinary people like you and I can help the situation. First, we can learn more and keep the situation in our prayers. Secondly, we can apply pressure by lobbying our elected officials, using the media to spread the word and divesting from companies that are helping fund the genocide. Third, we can support progress in the area by funding humanitarian, security or missionary agencies working to bring real hope to the people of Darfur. For more stories, ideas and recent media clippings about this subject, go to www.dyinginthedust.com.