When it became clear that the Nazis were responsible for the deaths of millions of Jewish people, the world was horrified. Everyone wished there could have been intervention before this tragedy occurred. Yet today, something reminiscent of the Holocaust is unfolding before our very eyes.

Since 2003, as many as 450,000 people – many of whom were innocent civilians – have been killed in Darfur, Sudan. The Bush Administration has identified this as genocide. Now 2.5 million people have fled for their lives and are living as refugees around the region, facing hunger and homelessness. Men are being killed and women raped as they search for food.

Despite those troubling facts, both United States and international aid to the region have been shamefully limited. Before these tragedies continue for yet another day, the public should get involved, and could urge elected officials and the president to get involved as well.

Alan Cyr, Lewiston