Help Family Farmers around the Globe!

New Action:

From Oxfam America:

Thanks again for your support in helping to Make Trade Fair. Because of people like you, the link between trade and poverty is being discussed in more and more places, from the New York Times to regional papers like the Wichita Eagle and the Omaha World Herald.

You can do even more to help Make Trade Fair by asking your senators and representative to sponsor the Rural America Preservation Act (S. 385). Just click here.

As you probably know, huge US and European Union subsidies have artificially lowered the prices of products like cotton and rice on the world market, forcing millions of farmers in developing countries into dire straits. Meanwhile, here in the US, subsidies unfairly favor large corporate farming interests – over the struggling family farmers who really need the help. The US government spends up to 16 billion dollars a year on farm payments. Over 70% of that money goes to the top 10% of farms, almost all of them large-scale commercial operations.

The Rural America Preservation Act (S. 385) – sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Tim Johnson (D-SD) – would set payment limitations on agricultural subsidies and eliminate the loopholes that enable large corporate farming interests to receive huge handouts at the expense of taxpayers. This legislation is supported not just by Oxfam, but by a host of organizations, from all shades of the political spectrum.

You can help! Please take a few minutes to email your senators and your representative. Ask them to sponsor the Rural America Preservation Act.

Swiftly enacting payment caps will help direct assistance to the neediest farmers and help make policies fair for farmers abroad.

Thanks so much for your support.

Sincerely,

David Moore
Internet Campaign Organizer
Oxfam America

Protect the Rights of Rwandese Refugees

New Action:

From Amnesty International Afrrica Human Rights Update:

Protect the Rights of Rwandese Refugees

In spite of the real security threat that still exists in Rwanda, hosting governments of Rwandese refugees have been showing signs of involuntary and forceful repatriation of these refugees to Rwanda. Urge the governments of Tanzania and the Republic of Congo to honor their commitments under the 1951 Convention on Refugees and the 1969 Organization of African Unity convention relating to refugees.

Take Action!
Please send appeals to the governments of Tanzania and the Republic of Congo.
» ACT NOW

Hotel Rwanda
Amnesty International is proud to support Hotel Rwanda -- an important and timely film that chronicles the 1994 genocide in Rwanda that claimed the lives of over 800,000 people and created a refugee crisis affecting over 3 million others.
» Learn more about Hotel Rwanda

» Learn more about human rights in Rwanda

Take Action: Stop the Flow of Weapons To Perpetrators of Human Rights Abuses

The flow of arms to Sudan is exacerbating the armed conflict in that country and directly contributing to a worsening of the human rights crisis. In the coming days, the United Nation’s Security Council will decide whether to impose a full or partial arms embargo on Sudan. The United States formally supports an embargo but has not excreted significant leadership in the Council to ensure a full embargo is approved. Write to the Secretary of State, Dr. Condeleeza Rice and encourage her to support a full mandatory arms embargo on Sudan with a strong monitoring mechanism.
» TAKE ACTION

Take Action: Protect Landless People's Movement in South Africa!

On April 14, 2004, scores of participants were arrested in a protest rally by the Landless People's Movement (LPM) in Lenasia, in the Greater Johannesburg area, and detained overnight at Protea police station in Soweto. A number of protestors were reportedly tear-gassed in a police van. While in custody, protestors were subjected to suffocation and torture by police officers while being interrogated about their political activities.
» TAKE ACTION

» MORE ACTIONS ON AFRICA

Sponsor a child in a tsunami-affected country

New Action:

From World Vision:

Dear Friend, Change the life of one child living in a tsunami-devastated country. Children who miraculously survived the crashing waves on Dec. 26 represent only a tiny fraction of the millions of children whose lives have been affected by this disaster. The tsunami has had a ripple effect across countries like India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, making poor communities even poorer. As national resources and attention in these countries are focused on coastal areas, children and families living in other areas are at risk of not getting the assistance they desperately need. Many children are even more vulnerable now as precious resources are diverted to tsunami-ravaged regions. And in this far-reaching tidal wave of poverty, it is the little ones who suffer the most.

You can bring hope to one special child and his or her entire community by becoming a child sponsor. Your sponsorship will address long-term issues such as:

>	Clean water
>	Health care
>	Educational opportunities
>	Nutritious food
>	And more

This kind of assistance is so important for the future of children in these countries, whether they have been personally affected by the tsunami or not. Please visit worldvision.org today to view photos of children from these countries who are waiting right now for a sponsor.

The effects of this disaster are widespread throughout the Asia region. We are committed to strengthening and rebuilding communities for years to come — as long as it takes to help children and families restore their lives. Make a commitment with us to build a better world for children. You can make a difference by sponsoring one child in Asia. Become a child sponsor today!

Rich Stearns
President, World Vision U.S.