Another thing you wont hear in the media...

Darfur...one of those places in the world that is dark. Depending on the reports that you read, the painted picture is one of genocide, malnutrition, and utter dispair. The pictures are ugly and heart wrenching. In this election period, many are bringing up the subject of Darfur. The gist of their tone is that while we are in Iraq, we arent doing anything for Darfur. I am going to dispel this myth. The US is, in reality, doing more humanitarian relief in Darfur than any other country combined.
Once again, as in Iraq, The United States Agency for International Development is in the lead.
USAID has been in Darfur for years.
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/sudan/darfur.html
They have been providing water, health care, sanitation, vaccinations, and food. Airplanes drop much needed emergency food assistance.
According to the USAID website:
On May 3, 2001, President Bush appointed USAID Administrator, Andrew Natsios, as the U.S. Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. . His main agenda has been greater humanitarian access for all of Sudan. In September, former Senator Danforth was appointed the U.S. Special Envoy for Peace to Sudan.
In the initial phase of U.S. engagement under the Special Envoy, the humanitarian and political agendas have intertwined. The success of these efforts led to negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on a comprehensive framework agreement for peace. It has also added to increased stability with international monitoring.
The Sudan Task Force, formed under the leadership of Assistant Administrator Roger Winter to support the Special Humanitarian Coordinator, has been an integral part of U.S. Special Envoy Danforth's missions to Sudan. USAID has played a special role in the recent negotiations and agreements, in addition to managing humanitarian and development programs in Sudan.
So our great country hasnt turned its back on these unfortunate people who are greatly in need. Despite the difficulty, the USAID 's courage and compassion is an enduring presence in the region.
God bless these people who give their committment to making this world a better place.