- Title: TURKEY: Photographic exibition in Istanbul draws attention to situation in Darfur
- Date: 25th September 2007
- Summary: (AD1) ISTANBUL, TURKEY (SEPTEMBER 22, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TAKSIM SQUARE WITH TURKISH RED CRESCENT TENT SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE OF TENT
- Embargoed: 10th October 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: War / Fighting,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA1X1P5DE94FXNPGPMOWF7FOAYE
- Story Text: Photographic exhibition in Istanbul, organised by Turkish Red Crescent, draws attention to the situation in Darfur.
A photo exhibition was organised by the Turkish Red Crescent recently to highlight the situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur and collect donations for its aid work there.
The photographs on display were taken by Mustafa Ozer, a Turkish photographer.
Mostly non-Arab Darfuri rebels took up arms in early 2003 accusing central government of neglecting the region. International experts estimate 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced in the ethnic and political conflict. The Sudanese government says 9,000 people have died.
But the region is littered with camps for displaced people, which is probably a better testament of how much people here have been affected by the fighting.
"My main aim with this exhibition is to highlight the situation in Darfur, and I want to support Turkish Red Crescent Aid workers there. This is an exhibition to show the tragedy there and also I want to highlight the work of the Turkish Red Crescent in Darfur," said Mustafa Ozer.
The Turkish Red Crescent Society runs a field hospital for displaced people in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. Ozer visited that hospital as well as camps in Al-Fashir, North Darfur. His photos will be used to raise money for the organisation's humanitarian work in Darfur.
"This exhibition will travel, whoever would like to host it, such as universities, municipalities, institutions and foundations can do so. The main aim is to raise money for the Turkish Red Crescent," Ozer said.
Human Rights Watch recently urged the United Nations Security Council to impose targeted sanctions on Sudan if it fails to stop attacks on civilians in Darfur.
The U.S.-based group said in a report that civilians were suffering as the conflict had descended into "a violent scramble for power and resources" between government troops, Khartoum-backed militias, rebel groups and bandits.
"We believe this situation must be announced to the world. We believe the world should be bothered about this situation. As the Turkish Red Crescent, we're working on it as much as we can with Turkish government support, but we want the attention of all Turkish people and world to be on the humanitarian tragedy in Darfur, Sudan," said the Deputy Manager of the Turkish Red Crescent, Ahmet Lutfi Akar.
Human rights groups are also urging peacekeeping troops - both African troops currently on the ground and a planned U.N.-African Union joint replacement force of 26,000 - to beef up protection of displaced families and other non-combatants. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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