What can you do to assist the children and their families of northern Uganda?
Currently peace talks between the government and LRA are underway in Juba, Sudan. Optimism over the peace talks is tempered by an ever-present concern for the plight of the civilian population of northern Uganda.
Residents of the "internally displaced" concentration camps should be assisted with necessary support in their safe return to their ancestral homelands. Intolerable conditions in the camps such as inadequate food, clean water, and sanitation should not merely be traded for a deathly future with additional dangers such as live landmines as they return home. The normal things of life � physical safety, availability of schools, medical and social services should not just be faraway dreams.
Recently the Senate passed Resolution 573 in support of the "transition from conflict to sustainable peace". Phone your Member of Congress. Ask that they request Executive branch, including State Dept, support for the peace talks in the form of publicly-issued statements as well as material support.
Ugandan government promises of assistance to the affected population must be backed up with concrete outcomes to the affected population's benefit. The U.S. should insist on full accountability for the use of funds and for delivery of services.
Share information with your friends, whether in California or elsewhere in the U.S. Ask that they also communicate with their members of Congress and other leaders. Legislation should include the necessary follow-up and addressing problems such as arms trafficking, child abductions (for use as soldiers or sex slaves), and land mines. Land mines are not abstract concepts. Advocacy on these issues is important for the people of Uganda and beyond.
U.S. Senators (California)
Barara Boxer Email via website: www.boxer.senate.gov Phone #: (619)239-3884 Fax #: (619)239-5719 |
Dianne Feinstein Email via website:www.feinstein.senate.gov Phone #: (619)231-9712 Fax #: (619)231-1108 |
U.S. Representatives(San Diego)
Darrell Issa (49th District) Email via website: www.house.gov/issa Phone #: (760)599-5000 Fax #: (760)599-1178 |
Brian Bilbray (50th District) Email via website: www.house.gov/bilbray Phone #: (760)737-8438 Fax #: (760)737-9132 |
Bob Filner (51th District) Email via website: www.house.gov/filner Phone #: (760)737-8438 Fax #: (760)737-9132 |
Duncan Hunter (52th District) Email via website: www.house.gov/hunter Phone #: (619)448-5201 Fax #: (619)449-2251 |
Susan Davis (53th District) Email via website: ww.house.gov/susandavis Phone #: (619)280-5353 Fax #: (619)280-5311 |
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If you are just planning to make phone calls, please be mindful of following options�
1. White House: 202-456-1111 (they receive on average 800-1100 calls a day, and so if we get over a thousand just on northern Uganda... will create a buzz.)
Message: I urge President Bush to publicly support ongoing peace negotiations to end the twenty-year war in northern Uganda
2. House of Representatives: visit www.house.gov and find the contact info for their representative. You can call and leave messages on the weekend.
Message: I urge Representative _______ to call Condoleezza Rice and encourage the State Department to publicly support ongoing peace negotiations to end the twenty-year war in northern Uganda
3. Senate: visit www.senate.gov and find the phone numbers for their state's two U.S. senators. You can leave messages on the weekend.
Message: I urge Senator _______ to call Condoleezza Rice and encourage the State Department to publicly support ongoing peace negotiations to end the twenty-year war in northern Uganda.