21 October 2007
The Prime Minister has lent his support to a special concert being held in London today to raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur.
Read the PM’s message
Asalaam alaikum.
First of all let me thank the organisers of this concert for inviting me to speak at this inspiring and important event, highlighting the plight of people in Darfur.
The situation in Darfur is totally unacceptable. Over 2 million people have been forced from their homes. This year alone 250,000 more people have been displaced. Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, further undermining the fragile humanitarian situation.
I want to take this opportunity to recognise the excellent work of all those British NGOS who continue to work in terrible circumstances to help the people of Darfur.
Their suffering has gone on for too long. We must redouble our efforts to find peace.
I promise you the UK will continue to work tirelessly with our international partners to give the people of Darfur hope that there can and will be peace. Since April 2004 we have given over £275m humanitarian aid to Sudan.
We sponsored the United Nations resolution on the deployment of peacekeepers. We want their speedy deployment. We want an immediate ceasefire as the peace talks start.
We want more people to be aware of this dreadful conflict. Here in the UK there have been many efforts to raise awareness of the suffering.
I want to thank all of you who have been active on this issue from the artists and musicians who are performing here today to religious leaders from all communities who have been leading prayers and campaigns for the people of Darfur.
The fact that so many of you are here tonight shows how deeply people from communities all over Britain care about the people of Darfur and their plight.
An injustice anywhere is an attack on justice everywhere and so we will continue working together with all of you to bring this suffering to an end.
Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful evening.
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