Darfur LWR Advocacy

LWR asks you to support immediate steps toward peace in Darfur

War in Darfur has displaced nearly 2.5 million individuals from their homes, and caused the death of over 200,000 people. While refugees and other victims of conflict in Darfur are poised for peace, they desperately need support from the international community and United Nations.

This week, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are negotiating final legislation for 2008 foreign appropriations funding—including a proposed $724 million in emergency funding for UN peacekeepers in Darfur. A full peacekeeping deployment is contingent upon this $724. Funding is at risk and may not be included if Congress does not hear from you by this week.

Join thousands of U.S. advocates as they participate in Darfur National Action Week and promote Congressional support for peacekeeping in the region.

Take Action
Call your member of Congress

Tell them:
· To support providing $724 million in emergency funding for peacekeeping in Darfur.
· To support higher, Senate level funding, for UN peacekeeping in any final appropriations deal.
· The UN-led peacekeeping mission in Darfur needs money now to pay for housing compounds, to dig wells, build roads and prepare for the deployment of peacekeepers.

Get connected to your representatives’ offices immediately by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

When you call, ask to speak with the foreign policy aide. Here is a sample script for your call:

“Hello,

Thank you for taking my call.
I am ________ from (give your town and state)

I am calling to let you know that peace in Darfur is important to me, and that I support U.S. legislation prioritizing this issue. In particular, I support a peacekeeping mission in Darfur and hope your office will as well. I understand that the House and Senate are negotiating foreign appropriations legislation this week. I ask that your office promote legislation that includes $724 million in financing for such a mission. Overall, I encourage you to support higher Senate level funding for UN peacekeeping in any deals made on the final foreign appropriations legislation.

Thank you.”

Prayer
Lord, we pray for those displaced by the ongoing conflicts in Sudan.
Just as your Son, Jesus Christ, brought healing and reconciliation,
Make us agents of your peace.
Shelter the victims of violence
Comfort all who are weary and afraid
Bring relief to those who hunger and thirst
Turn the hearts of those who inflict cruelty
And move us to recall our shared humanity.
Unite us in Your will for the world,
And set our minds upon your love for justice.
In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen
THANK YOU for considering this action. By raising your voice you are making inroads to peace in Sudan.

For more information, or to join the LWR advocacy network individually, please contact advocacy@lwr.org or Gretchen King at gking at lwr.org.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility