Madam, - I am glad to see that the crisis in Darfur has finally been acknowledged by the major leaders of the world. However, I think it is important to stress that it is only a first attempt to tackle a catastrophic problem.
It is believed that 200,000 people have died in the region over the past four years, but in truth this is only an estimate and the death toll figures are possibly far higher as no one can provide exact statistics. Furthermore, this figure evades the scope of the humanitarian crisis in the region with many people dying from hunger and disease, having been displaced from their homes by government militia, intent on sabotaging food stores in local villages across the state.
A deployment of 26,000 troops to maintain order and stability in the region is most definitely welcome but it must be done immediately otherwise it will be nothing more than a meaningless goodwill gesture made too late to effectively tackle the problem.
We in the first world have allowed this situation to escalate into a disaster, ignoring the plight of the innocent civilians in Darfur. Bombings and gang rape are daily occurrences in a region that continuously cries for international help. So let us hope that the international community will uphold their promise and end the suffering of the Western Sudanese population. However, their actions, if and when they happen, will speak far better than their words. - Yours, etc,
RUAIRI MacOIREACTAIGH, Coolamber Park, Dublin 16.