US Congresswoman Betty McCollum to visit Sudan’s Darfur
Betty McCollum
McCollum to Visit Refugee Camps and Assess Humanitarian Crisis Caused by Sudan Genocide
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) departs today with a congressional delegation traveling to the Central African nation of Chad to visit camps where more than 200,000 refugees have fled the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. McCollum, a member of the House International Relations Committee’s Africa Subcommittee, will assess the U.S. and international response to the humanitarian crisis. McCollum and the delegation will also visit Algeria on the trip.
“The world must not forget or neglect the human tragedy of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. The opportunity to meet with the women and children who escaped this horrific genocide and the humanitarian relief workers who are working to keep them alive is sure to be a profound experience. These victims require the on-going commitment, resources and leadership from the U.S. I intend to get a better understanding of their needs and what it will take to end this vicious cycle of violence,” said McCollum.
The premeditated violence in Darfur, directed mainly against civilians, has caused 70,000 deaths and displaced more than 1.8 million people from their homes, including the 200,000 refugees who have fled the genocide to refugee camps in eastern Chad. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has declared the violence in Sudan to constitute “genocide.” More than 75 percent of those displaced are children, who are the most vulnerable of refugees. McCollum will also visit local Chadian villages impacted by the neighboring conflict in Sudan.
Following her visit to Chad, the delegation will visit Algeria with the intention to strengthen U.S.-bilateral relations with this Arab nation through diplomatic meetings with top officials, including President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and members of his cabinet. McCollum will also meet with U.S. businesses in Algeria to strengthen economic ties. McCollum is one of six members of Congress participating in the four-day, bipartisan trip
Web site : http://www.mccollum.house.gov/