PrayForSudan
The protests in Sudan started with a series of demonstrations over high bread prices (prices tripled) – resulting from the economic crisis that happened in Sudan. The protests started in Atbara, a northeastern Sudan city, renowned for its anti-government activities. The authorities declared a state of emergency, but by this point, the protests already spread to Port Sudan, Gadarif, and then to the capital, Khartoum. In addition to the bread prices skyrocketing, protestors were pissed about the cash shortages caused by restrictions placed on withdrawals (basically, they were trying to keep all of the money in the banks, leaving citizens struggling to get cash).
These protests turned into growing anti-government rallies. Protestors went from being simply angry to demanding al-Bashir’s resignation. Several groups, such as the Sudanese Professionals Association, led calls for marches to the president’s palace, demanding him to step down. Soon, journalists, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, trade unions, and professional unions were all calling for his resignation. Low and behold, al-Bashir didn’t resign. Not only that, but he announced a one-year state of emergency on February 22 and issued a presidential decree that banned protests, public gatherings, and political activities. The decree also gave police and security forces power to carry out inspections and monitor individuals to ensure that they aren’t protesting. As of early April, the death toll was nearly 70.
On April 11th, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashier, who served as the seventh President of Sudan from 1989 to 2019, was removed from office by the Sudanese Armed Forces following several months of civil protests, death, and civil uprisings. The protests have continued after his removal as president of Sudan because the Transitional Military Council (TMC) refuses to give into the protestors demands to cede power. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who leads the TMC, says that the transitional period should last a maximum of two years (which is about two years too long). In early June, protestors were met with extreme force in the capital, Khartoum. The Guardian reported more than 70 cases of rape during the attack, more than 100 deaths, and over 700 injuries. The TMC and opposition groups have resumed talks about how to deal with the eventual elections, but the violence and hunger in the country is still at an all-time high. Currently, over 4 million people – 1 in 3 – have been forced to flee their homes due to this war. Nearly 2.5 million have fled to neighboring countries. Not only that, but 7.1 million people – nearly half of the country’s population- are facing extreme and deadly hunger.
Here are 7 things that we can do to help the people of Sudan
1. Call your member of Congress. Call 202-224-3121. State your zip code. When connected, tell them you support helping the people of Sudan.
2. Use ResistBot to text your members of Congress. Text RESIST to 50409 and it will help you contact your elected officials and tell them to help the people of Sudan.
3. Give to UNICEF, which is working to help the children displaced by the conflict.
4. Donate to Save the Children, which has been working in Sudan since 1984. If you prefer the International Rescue Committee, it has been in Sudan since 1989 fighting malnutrition and helping displaced families.
5. This Facebook campaign aims to raise funds for food and medicine for those in Sudan.
6. Sign this Change.org petition demanding that “The UN must investigate the 3rd of June human rights violations in Sudan by the Military.”
7. This GoFundMe campaign out of the U.K. claims to be working with a Sudanese group to bring emergency medical aid to Sudan. This GoFundMe campaign is dedicated to providing medical support for the group of non-violent protesters waging a sit-in.
For more information visit: https://www.fastcompany.com/90363335/sudan-massacre-how-to-help-7-things-from-gofundme-to-unicef