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WHITE CELEBS STEP UP FIGHT FOR AFRICA: Bono, George Clooney, Matt Damon British coalition call for action on AIDS, poverty and Darfur.
*The catastrophic hardships in Africa – from AIDS to poverty to genocide – are not going away, despite the ebb and flow of its coverage in the media. Hoping to keep people concerned with the humanitarian crisis in various regions of the continent, various celebrities are increasing efforts to keep the issue at the forefront of public consciousness.
Last Thursday, George Clooney joined Nobel Peace Prize recipient and author Elie Wiesel to urge members of the United Nations Security Council to help end the genocide in Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur.
Clooney told the U.N.'s most powerful body that it must send replacements for the African Union's 7,000 peacekeepers in Darfur when its mandate expires at the end of the month. If it did not, aid workers would have to leave and the 2.5 million displaced people who depend on them would die.
"After Sept. 30 you won't need the U.N. You will simply need men with shovels and bleached white linen and headstones," the 45-year-old actor warned.
During a press conference following the U.N. speech, Clooney said he took up the cause of Darfur because it’s "the first genocide of the 21st century."
A contingent of British celebrities, including Elton John and Annie Lennox, came together Saturday in hopes that their government will help end the fighting in Darfur.
"We call on our government to move Darfur to the top of its priority list until a U.N. force is deployed and the people of Darfur are protected," wrote the group in a joint letter. Bob Geldof and actress Emma Thompson were also among the celebs who signed the letter.
The conflict in Darfur began in early 2003 when ethnic African tribes revolted against the Khartoum government. The Arab-dominated Sudanese government has been accused of unleashing Arab militiamen known as Janjaweed, who have been blamed for widespread atrocities, including rapes and killings. U.N. officials have estimated the death toll at between 180,000 and 200,000. More than 2 million people have been driven from their homes.
Meanwhile, actor Matt Damon hosted a fundraiser in Toronto last week that raised $1.8 million to fight poverty and AIDS in Africa. Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, Wyclef Jean and John Legend attended the function, which donated proceeds to Canada’s One X One and the U.S.-based Millennium Promise, headed by United Nations adviser Dr. Jeffrey Sachs. Damon is also working on a documentary to raise awareness.
“The film (follows) three ultramarathoners running across the Sahara to shed light on the issues there, particularly the lack of water,” Damon tells People magazine. “As part of that, we've started a group called Africa H20. Lack of clean water and sanitation kills nearly 4,500 children a day. Running the Sahara (which the filmmakers plan to debut next year) is, hopefully, incredibly entertaining and brings a lot of awareness to some of the issues that people face in Saharan Africa.
U2 frontman Bono, a longtime supporter of humanitarian efforts in Africa and around the world, has announced the sale of T-shirts from his “One” campaign, which will help raise money to pay for AIDS medication and medical care in Africa. .
As previously reported, the shirts are manufactured in Africa by Edun, a fair trade clothing label started by Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson. The company will donate $10 for every $40 shirt sold to a fund supporting the health care of the factory workers who make the shirts. (Purchase a t-shirt here.)
