The suffering and destruction of children in Darfur is an obscenity

[Jack]

When we view photographs of war-torn bodies, piled-up corpses, or starving children, are we changed?

During the course of the genocidal conflict in Darfur, the number of children who have been killed, raped, wounded, displaced, traumatized, or endured the loss of parents and families is well over 1 million. Most of these children have suffered multiple forms of violence, loss, and deprivation. Moreover, their futures are bleak in ways we can only now begin to discern, though that bleakness will come into steadily sharper relief as humanitarian organizations slowly withdraw their financial support for current efforts on the ground.

Children, especially younger children, are not simply more vulnerable to disease and malnutrition (especially during flight following attacks on villages); they are in many respects more vulnerable to violence. They often cannot move quickly, or at all, to escape attackers. Wounds are more likely to produce mortality. The loss of family members, especially parents, is much more likely to be seriously consequential, even fatal, for children. Children, because of their physical weakness and inability to resist, are much more likely to be the victims of abduction, which has been rampant in Darfur since the outbreak of major hostilities.

The other day I came across a blog that rated events that cause extreme pain. The event, human condition, "dying from starvation" was at the top. Dying of leukemia was number two. However, "obesity during high school" was close behind. Obviously the creator of the scale was from a "first world" country. People can recover from severe degrees of starvation to a normal stature and function. Children, however, may suffer from permanent mental retardation or growth defects if their deprivation was long and extreme. Overweight high school children have options. Diet and exercise under the guidance of a professional is a start. Teachers and mental health councilor can help soothe some of the emotional trauma caused by their excesses.

I am not making light of the obesity problem in western nations. I and my brothers struggle with our weight and type II diabetes. The term "husky" was politely used to describe my clothing requiremnts from an early age. I was short and fat, the first person in the line. Overeating still makes us miserable and ill. The increase in the numbers of young adults suffering from diabetes is linked to obesity. However, medical advances means that it takes longer to kill us, so we keep on eating. The term "child wasting" may seem very harsh, but that's what it is! In developed countries like Canada, the United States, Australia, Europe and so on, we waste food and resources and goods and time and energy. In third-world countries, children are being wasted.

The cultural differences and influences are extremely different from one part of the world to another. Here in North America, we (generally speaking) focus on physical appearance and materialism.

In India and Pakistan and Africa, children focus on surviving the day.

It takes, on average, four pounds of grain to make a single pound of meat. Meatier diets geometrically increase overall food demands. I can't solve world hunger. However, I am trying to change. I'm Eating food! Not too much. Mostly plants.

I joined Bloggers Unite. I am posting on 5/15/08 "cause I feel like I owe it to someone".

If you want to help, the easiest way may be to read: One Grain At A Time.

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[David]

Great Post. Unfortunately, the Sudanese government has diplomatic cover from many nations at the U.N., preventing or making an intervention very difficult. There are a lot of other unaddressed issues about this tragedy that needs to be tended to now, but you shed light on a terrible tragedy that shouldn't be happening and if enough people get behind trying to stop the Genocide in Darfur, something might actually get done.

[Jack]

Thanks for the comment. When I was younger I thought I could solve some of the world's problems and served three years in the Peace Corps in Africa (Zaire, old Belgian Congo). I'm older, maybe wiser and approach solutions one grain at a time. I'm hoping (but not holding my breath) a younger generation will step up to the plate. Still love my sports analogies!