Hollywood actress Farrow to fast over Darfur aid plight
April 22, 2009 (NEW YORK) – A US actress who has been to eastern Chad many times announced she plans to begin a 21 day fast on Monday in solidarity with the people of Darfur.
Mia Farrow, who disclosed on her website on Saturday her plan to begin the hunger strike, wrote that the move is intended “as a personal expression of outrage at a world that is somehow able to stand by and watch innocent men, women and children needlessly die of starvation, thirst and disease.”
She referenced the expulsion of 16 aid groups from Darfur since March 4 as a matter of concern to her. Farrow has been to the region around Darfur 11 times, spending much time in refugee camps in the border area of Chad.
“I undertake this fast in the heartfelt hope that world leaders who know what is just and right will call upon the Government of Sudan to urgently readmit all of the expelled agencies or otherwise insure that the gap is filled, giving aid workers unimpeded access to the populations before they begin to die in numbers that could dwarf the Rwandan genocide,” stated the actress.
Farrow noted that she hoped human rights advocates and “citizens of conscience around the world” would join her in some form of fasting, even if for one day.
One of the actress’ ambitions is to build a museum in Darfur after the violence subsides. She told the Associated Press that she envisioned it as a place “where the young people who’ve grown up in the midst of violence and in deplorable conditions in camps will be able to go… and reclaim what’s theirs.”
Farrow is part of an “anti-genocide” activist movement in the United States, where the government has declared that genocide occurred in Darfur.
However, recent statements by visiting US dignitaries, including President Obama’s special envoy Scott Gration and Senator John Kerry, appeared to signal a rapprochement — or at least a reluctance on the part of the new administration to confront the government of Sudan, as some Sudanese officials had feared.
(ST)
darfurdaniel
Hollywood actress Farrow to fast over Darfur aid plight
She has a good point stating NGO’s should be allowed back but fasting? Gee that will really help stop the killing, starving and disease! If she “really” wants to help why doesn’t she get all her rich Hollywood friends together and put up some cash. Start an NGO with unlimited cash flow. Then she could dispatch this NGO to Darfur “in the field” and really solve some problems.
Does fasting while living in a Hollywood mansion really equate to suffering? Maids will not bring caviar and champaign for 21 days? Gee what a drag. Try living in Darfur with the heat, lack of electricity and water and then what do you think you would say if poor Mia wants to fast? Bollacks! Pathetic rich person trying to justify existance the wrong way!
ktjscott
Hollywood actress Farrow to fast over Darfur aid plight
Mia has been to the camps 11 times. She has fundraised, she has blogged, she does not live in a hollywood mansion. She works for the people of the world that need her voice. She is being supported by fasters across the world: fastdarfur.org