Mia Farrow Fasts for Darfur

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

22 Apr 2009 11:07 AM

Actress/activist Mia Farrow has long been a supporter of children's rights and has especially been concerned about the welfare of those in Africa. She works as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has traveled to war torn Darfur three times since 2004. To help spread the word of the crisis going on there, Farrow has had photographs published in PEOPLE magazine and she has written editorials for the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.

She feels so passionately about this cause that in August 2007, she offered to give up her freedom in exchange for that of Suleiman Jamous, a humanitarian worker for the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Farrow became involved in the Dream for Darfur campaign in 2007. Dream for Darfus threatened to disrupt the Beijing Olympics because of China's support of the Sudan government. You can visit her web page - www.miafarrow.org - to learn more about how you can help the people of Darfur as well as see photos of her trips and read her blog entries.

Today, Farrow announced that she would go on a fast to show support for the people of Darfur. She will begin the water-only fast on April 27th "as a personal expression of outrage at a world that is somehow able to stand by and watch innocent men, women, and children needlessly die of starvation, thirst, and disease. Farrow's fast will coincide with Genocide Prevention Month.

Darfur has been the target of many celebrities including George Clooney and Bono since violence broke out between the Sudanese government and rebel forces in 2003. Since then, approximately 450,000 have died, with another 3 million being displaced.

Farrow's representative said that she would continue it as long as possible. Doctors have estimated that she may be able to go three weeks without food. Abdalmahmoud Abdalhaleem, the Sudan ambassador to the UN has said that Farrow should use her fame to "to put pressure on the rebel groups to come to the negotiating table" rather than undergo the fast.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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