Damon Gough & REM team up for Sudan

NEW YORK (UN announcement) - It's been labeled the worst humanitarian disaster in the world by the United Nations, but few Americans even know if its existence. That'll all change if a coalition of rockers have their way.

REM, Badly Drawn Boy, Ash and David Gray, among others will contribute to Songs for Sudan, an album to help raise money for Oxfam's charity work for the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

In the past year and a half, the United Nations estimates more than 50 thousand have been killed and 1.4 million displaced by among bands of rebels, the government and Arab raiders known as the Janjaweed, who rebels say is organized by the Sudanese government.
The CD will sell for $14 with $9 going directly to the Oxfam Sudan appeal.

The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 after two rebel factions took up arms to protest alleged discrimination by the government in Khartoum. More than a million have fled their homes for fear of attack by Arab militia, known as Janjaweed, who rebels say are supported by the government.