Assist Sudanese Refugees

Last month, I wrote about efforts to assist Sudanese refugees in the US. There are, however, many more folks in distress in and near Sudan. You can help Sudanese refugees in Chad or internally-displaced Sudanese people by contributing your time, money or other resources to one or more of the following organizations:

* Islamic Relief Worldwide "works in over twenty countries around the world on projects ranging from emergency relief to long-term development. Our projects focus on key areas such as water and sanitation, health and nutrition, orphan sponsorship."

* American Jewish World Service "supports almost 270 grassroots organizations in the developing world and Russia and Ukraine through grant making, technical assistance, emergency relief and advocacy. We also provide unique international service opportunities for the Jewish community, enabling Jews to play an active role in the process of meaningful social change."

* World Vision is "a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the c auses of poverty. We serve the world's poor - regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender."

* Doctors Without Borders "is an international independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in nearly 70 countries."

* CARE "is a united force dedicated to helping the world's poorest communities solve their most threatening problems."

* Friends of the World Food Program "engages in advocacy, outreach, and fundraising activities. With generous support from schools, ethnic groups, religious organizations, businesses, and individuals, Friends of WFP has helped channel millions of dollars to support WFP operations."

* Save the Children "is the leading independent organization creating real and lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world."

* International Rescue Committee "is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression."

Send what you can. It's a small step you can take to help wage peace and stop the genocide in Sudan. Thanks to Nicholas Kristof for his blog post on these organizations.

"It's the responsibility of all of us to ensure that our governments stop genocides. We cannot allow them to evade their duty where thousands or millions perish. Otherwise, we will all be responsible for perpetuating the genocides that will inevitably occur in the future." - Paul Rusesabagina, Rwandan innkeeper and inspiration for "Hotel Rwanda"