Students Taking Action Now (STAND) Concordia is organizing Rock Darfur, a benefit concert March 15 at Club Lambi. Bands featured are: La Defense, NateEscape, Heruba, Feel Gud and Polar Eyes. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.
STAND consists of Concordia students seeking to raise awareness about the major humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Darfurian rebel groups are in conflict and civilians are suffering in the crossfire.
STAND member Roxi Benchman said, “This is a passion for us. This concert was organized to provide direct aid and try to ease at least a bit of the suffering.”
The Save Darfur Coalition’s website (www.savedarfur.org) estimates that about 400,000 people have died and over one million people have been displaced. A more substantial study was conducted by the UN’s World Health Organization in 2004, estimating the death of displaced persons from diseases to be at 70,000. However this study doesn’t include the death toll for the past three years.
Doctors Without Borders has been working in Darfur for the past four years and has over 2,000 staff workers in 17 regions of Darfur. The organization focuses on working with victims of violence and setting up health centres to handle infectious diseases and other medical needs. Relief workers risk their lives daily.
Philip Humphris, the head of the West Darfur mission, reports about 12 humanitarian workers have been killed in Darfur since May 2006.
The bands in Rock Darfur support the endeavor to raise awareness about Darfur. Jason Lalonde of La Defense said, “Knowing what about the situation in Darfur has definitely peaked my interest, and now I’m hard-pressed, wondering what else I’m not aware of. The most important thing is being informed and showing support.”
In addition to the bands performing, there will be poetry readings. The event takes place Thursday, March 15 at Club Lambi (4465 St. Laurent) from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tickets may be bought in advance or at the door at $10.
For more information contact: [email protected] or visit www.msf.ca and www.doctorswithoutborders.
