Darfur appeal - Generosity of readers gives hope

THE deep sense of compassion which you, the readers of The Irish Examiner, feel for the suffering people of Sudan is matched only by your generosity.

In the first four days of our appeal on behalf of GOAL, you have contributed a life-saving €85,000 for the people of Darfur, a hell-on-earth where, for the past 18 months, a campaign of unrelenting terror has been waged by Sudanese government troops and militia.

The situation remains critical despite the tireless efforts of Irish aid agencies, including GOAL, Concern, Trócaire, Oxfam Ireland, UNICEF and the Red Cross.

Irish donors have contributed over €11 million to help feed, clothe and provide shelter for 1.2 million people made homeless by a tyrannical regime. In squalid camps, they live in fear of starvation and disease and death.

Seldom has there been such an open-hearted response. Not alone will your generosity save lives, it will give an oppressed people hope for a better future. More is needed.

On their behalf, we thank you.