The UN has classified 26 conflicts around the world as complex emergencies. These affect around 59 million people, a large number of them in Africa. There are currently some 70,000 peace keepers in 70 countries serving 17 missions, all requiring different humanitarian responses. The war-induced famine in Sudan and Somalia has received a huge international response, but has raised questions about the most effective way to deal with human rights crises, which are becoming increasingly violent and complex. This work analyzes the effectiveness of all the major humanitarian interventions in recent years, and provides a range of initiatives on how the international community can respond more appropriately. It argues that the failure of military intervention and state building efforts in Somalia, and the attempt at a negotiated access response to aiding the victims in the Sudan provide insights into other crises. Sudan and Somalia are crucial as pointers for the future because they are part of the Horn of Africa legacy of cyclical famines and massive responses which come too late and fail to address the cause of the crises.
I'm the co-founder of the Enough Project at Center for American Progress. We're building a movement to end genocide and crimes against humanity. The Enough Project focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Too often, the United States and the larger international community have taken a wait-and-see approach to crimes against humanity. This is unconscionable.
Genocide and war crimes are not inevitable, and we at Enough are making noise and taking action to stop ongoing mass atrocities and to prevent future ones.
Our mission is to help people from every walk of life understand the practical actions they can take to make a difference. Our strategy is to energize diverse communities - including students, religious groups, activists, business leaders, celebrities, and diaspora networks - to ensure that their voices are heard on some of the most pressing foreign policy and moral challenges facing the world today.
It all begins with an "Enough Moment" -- an experience in your life when you realize you have to stand up, speak out, and organize with others on vital human rights issues in Africa.
We at the Enough Project are interested in hearing your video, photo, or text versions of personal Enough Moments. We are launching a website, www.enoughmoment.org, where your video, photo, or text can appear alongside other Enough Moments from celebrities, policy makers, activists, and survivors. I look forward to hearing your Enough Moment.
