Darfur and Google earth

For once I'm basing my blog off an article not on BBC, this time from National Geographic:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070425-google-darfur.html

We are all well aware of the crisis in Darfur. This article reports that 200,000+ people have died and 2.5 million people have been displaced from their houses since 2003. Now Google Earth users can track the devastation. Users can track and see how many villages have been decimated and see what locations are at risk. The purpose of this is to create worldwide awareness and advocacy of the crisis in Darfur.

It is currently not in real time, but plans are underway to team up with google to focus on the danger zone so that Google Earth users can see what is going on in real time. This is to be called "All eyes on Darfur" and will be launched June 1. Of this, Ariela Blatter, director of Amnesty International's Crisis Prevention and Response Center in NYC says, "We know that the Sudanese government has been affected by satellite technology and changed their tactics accordingly. We want them to know that they're being watched, and we want them to be afraid." This artical also takes note that, ironically, Google Earth is not available to people in Sudan due to export controls and sactions retrict downloads of U.S. software in Sudan.

I think it's great that global awareness is being created. This is a complete example of partnering with technology to create an innovative and interactive campaign. However, disallowing resources like this that can save thousands of lives, is senseless. I understand wanting to have strict controls and sactions in Sudan. When you're dealing with people who are slaughtering thousands, there needs to be strict controls. However, you're dealing with technology that can help many people, something must be done. It is necessary for rules to be bent because the number 1 priority in this case should be saving lives.