Google Earth Community: Darfur

A question that often arises in these forums is "why is such-and-such an area in lo-res?" and alternatively "why is such-and-such an area in hi-res?". We see it again and again as users of Google Earth are disappointed to see their own home town in low res yet North Korean missile installations and bombed out Iraqi towns are in such glorious high-res.

And now Darfur. Lots of it. In high-res for our voyeuristic googlings from the comfort and safety of our homes and offices around the world.

I feel that each and every one of us, reading this on our screen, is in a position to help those less fortunate. The very fact that we are sitting in front of a computer worth more than some of these families will earn in their lifetime is proof enough.

So please, click on one of the links below and send the money you were going to spend on that new flat screen to Darfur. Or even that new USB stick. Or even just one tank's worth of gas! Anything. Let's each one of us click and send and by forgoing (or even just postponing) and item of such unimaginable luxury help out one of these families whose villages and lives we are perusing.

Ok?

Plan International I really recommend this organization because it is a regular (small) commitment that goes toward ongoing support. You won't even feel the blip on your credit card every month but it will go toward building wells and schools and helping people help themselves. It also has low overheads and is non-religiously affilliated which appeals to me personally.

A good article from the BBC with lots of links to organizations where you can donate (such as Oxfam, Unicef, Red Cross etc) and a little bit of information about each of them.

Help Darfur Now is a non-profit organization formed by New Jersey high school students, committed to providing much-needed financial aid to refugees and refugee camps. The charity has no overhead (all expenses are donated) so that almost 100% of the proceeds contributed to the organization go toward Darfur relief efforts.

Global Impact Is a coalition of U.S. charities who help in many parts of the world including in this case Darfur.

SaveDarfur This is a coalition of organizations who also have background to the crisis on their website and, while they do accept donations, also push for political pressure.

Of course there are many other avenues to donate but I would urge you to please do it right now while it is fresh in your mind and you obviously have a couple of minutes to spare otherwise you would not be looking at Google Earth would you?

Thanks!!

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