PROTECT DARFUR NOW: AJC Campaign to Protect Darfuri Refugees

Since 2003, genocide in Darfur has claimed more than 200,000 lives and displaced 2.5 million people. Many have fled to neighboring Chad and settled in refugee camps. Yet, even across the border, more than 200,000 Darfuri men, women and children living in refugee camps are in constant danger.

Refugees must venture into forests to collect firewood in order to cook the basic food supplied by international relief agencies. Due to deforestation these "walks" range between 10 and 20 miles, often in 100 degree heat. Moreover, this is an extremely dangerous task as men face torture and murder, while women and children are gang-raped at the hands of roving militias.

By providing an alternative to constant trips into the forest, we can make a difference. AJC is raising funds to support the Dutch charity Kozon and its CooKit program. CooKit is a simple cooker of cardboard and aluminum foil. By harnessing the sun's energy, the CooKit offers a cost-effective means to reduce the need for gathering firewood and to provide a supply of clean drinking water.

Kozon already has done extensive work in the Iridimi camp and is implementing a similar project in the nearby Touloum camp. Both camps are in Chad. There are 17,159 women and children refugees in the Iridimi camp. Kozon supplied over 10,000 solar cookers while training virtually all of the 4,669 families to "cook with the sun."

Construction of a manufacturing plant and store room in the Touloum camp, with 22,038 refugees, mostly women and children, began this summer.

Women who complete a five-day training receive two solar cookers. One is used for maize meal, the main food distributed by the World Food Program and the other is used for water, sauce or vegetables (if they have them).

Since Kozon enjoys the support of many volunteers, about 95 percent of donations go directly to materials and training for the refugees. Given the already low cost of the CooKits, your donations can go a long way. Your support is crucial to maintain current projects while Kozon expands the scope of its work.

A $30 tax-deductible gift can provide an entire family with two solar cookers, supplies and the necessary training. These simple mechanisms can truly save hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent lives.

Click here to support AJC's PROTECT DARFUR NOW Campaign