Helping Sudan's refugees in their time of need.

As the holiday of Passover quickly approaches (the first Seder is after sundown April 23 rd this year), it's easy to get wrapped up in the story of the ten plagues. During Pesach we celebrate the joyous occasion when our distant ancestors were freed from the bounds of slavery and how they daringly escaped from Egypt. It can be easy to overlook the fact that Passover does not mark the end of a story, but rather, the very beginning of a long and arduous journey--a journey that lasted 40 years. Passover is not only the story of an escape from slavery; it is also the story of how our ancestors had to flee from the place they once called home.

Many of us will soon sit down to Passover Seders in the warm comfort of our homes, surrounded by friends and family. But for millions of Sudanese people, far across the Atlantic Ocean, the comforts of home are only a dream. They, just like our ancestors, have been forced to abandon their homes--many of them without a place to go.

The Northeast African nation of Sudan, the largest country in Africa, has been embroiled in a violent civil war for almost 20 years. In the past two years alone, more than 180,000 people have died at the hands of government-backed militias and more than 1.6 million have been displaced from the Darfur region. These numbers make up just a small percentage of the total numbers killed and driven from their homes in the war torn country. In fact, last year the United Nations described the conflict in Sudan, and its ultimate costs, as the world's worst humanitarian disaster. While the crisis has not officially been labeled a "genocide", many scholars and aid workers argue that it should be classified as such.

Fearing murder and rape, many Sudanese have fled their homes hoping to escape from a life of violence and poverty. Yet, just like the Hebrews who fled Egypt under the cloak of night, Sudanese who abandon their homes find that escaping to a better life doesn't come easily. Many displaced Sudanese people end up in refugee camps along the borders of Sudan's nine neighboring countries. These refugee camps are often squalid and overcrowded places crawling with disease and hunger. Many refugees end up spending years in these camps. At these desperate camps they sweat under the hot African sun. They pine for adequate food and nutrition where none is available. They wish to once again have a place to call home. Sound familiar? It should.

Stories have surfaced of Sudanese youth that traveled thousands of miles through forest, desert, and war-ravaged fields, to escape from the conflict in their homeland. Sadly, most of these youth will never make it to a safer place. Many of them will be killed along the way: stricken with disease, weakened by dehydration, or killed by militiamen. Those who do escape must then attempt to rebuild their lives and start anew, often without any family members to help them through the process.

The struggle of the millions of now displaced Sudanese people does, in many ways, mirror the flight of the Jews from Egypt. Today we face a unique and amazing challenge. We are witness to a large group of displaced people questing for a home, just as we once did, and we have the power to help. When Passover comes this year, what better way to celebrate our historic escape from slavery than to help those who are currently displaced from their homes in Sudan? Various humanitarian aid efforts are concentrated on assisting the displaced people of Sudan, and you can join their fight. The following is a list of organizations you can contact to find out about the many ways you can aid the less fortunate in Sudan. Our people eventually made it out of the desert and found a home, and we can help Sudanese refugees do the same.

Doctors without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

American Refugee Committee International
http://www.archq.org/

Direct Relief
http://www.directrelief.org/