SAVING BABY JAMAL'S LIFE

One day, baby Jamal barely had the strength to cry. His poor mother was extremely worried.

In fact, “Jamal was starving to death and his mother was forced to watch, powerless to prevent it”, said Tim Costello, Chief Executive of World Vision Australia, who has just returned from Darfur in the Sudan.

Baby Jamal’s mother was turned away from the hospital because she had no money to pay for her son’s treatment. “All it costs to save Jamal’s life was $8”. And, at the nick of time, Costello came to the rescue!

The scene of hunger and desperation; of death and decay, has been repeated all over Southern Sudan. Thus, as conflict over land and water resources exploded into widespread violence and lawlessness in Darfur, an estimated 1.2 million people are still living in inhuman conditions in refugee camps, with no help in sight.

An additional 200,000 people have fled their homes and sought sanctuary in the neighbouring country, Chad, as the predominantly Arab militia engage in an orgy of violence and ethnic cleansing.

Meanwhile, the international community is increasing pressure on the Sudanese government to ensure peace and security in Darfur.