PEACE: Today, the world faces more active armed conflicts than at any point since the end of World War II. Yet, the U.S. government spends only one dollar on peacebuilding for every $200 we spend on war.
The investments we make in peacebuilding signify more than just a line in the federal budget—they represent lives saved and potential unlocked.
Remembering the people at the center of our advocacy is essential. I recently spoke with a peacebuilder, Tarig, who works with Invisible Children in Sudan. I am excited to share his story.
The conflict in Darfur, Sudan has lasted for two decades. Nearly 3 million people are displaced, and renewed violence in Sudan threatens more.
Despite this, Tarig believes that peace is possible. He’s seen it firsthand.
Using funds provided by the U.S. State Department, Tarig and his colleagues are working with local Peace Committees to stop violence and prevent atrocities in the Darfur region before they occur.
They have documented hundreds of incidents where threats of violence were nonviolently resolved. Slowly, Tarig and the Peace Committees are tipping the scales so that more violence is prevented than occurs.
This kind of peacebuilding offers low-cost and low-risk methods for preventing violence. With just a small investment from Congress, peacebuilders worldwide can do so much more.
Like all of us, Tarig wants his community to be a place where people can live without the threat of violence. It’s what motivates his work.
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