Aegis Trust is an international organisation committed to preventing and stopping genocide, crimes against humanity, and other forms of mass atrocities around the world. Founded in 2000, the organisation promotes peace, reconciliation, and justice in areas affected by conflict, violence, and human rights abuses.
The Aegis Trust was established in response to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people. Following the genocide, Aegis Trust’s founders recognised the need for an organisation that could address the root causes of such atrocities and work to prevent them from occurring in the future.
Today, Aegis Trust works in various countries, including Rwanda, the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. The organisation focuses on a range of activities: education, research, advocacy, and community engagement.
Aegis Trust also manages the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, which serves as a memorial to the victims of the 1994 genocide, as well as a centre for education and research on genocide and mass atrocities.
With a deep commitment to social justice, human rights, and the prevention of mass atrocities, Aegis Trust is a vital voice in the global struggle for peace and reconciliation.
THE PROBLEM
Aegis Trust launched the Fund4Darfur campaign in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. The crisis was characterised by widespread violence, displacement, and human rights abuses and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people and the displacement of over 2 million.
The Fund4Darfur campaign was aimed at raising awareness of the crisis and generating support for Aegis Trust’s efforts to provide aid and assistance to those affected.
Specifically, the campaign aimed to address the problem of insufficient funding and support for humanitarian assistance in the region, hindering aid organisations’ ability to provide critical services to those in need. This was partly due to global recognition of “acts of genocide”, which didn’t constitute genocide, which would have allowed for more funds and support to be released.
The campaign sought to raise funds from individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide to support Aegis Trust’s work and its partners in Darfur. This included providing food, shelter, and medical care to those affected by the crisis and supporting efforts to promote peace, security, and human rights in the region.
Overall, the goal of the Fund4Darfur campaign was to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the crisis and to support efforts to end violence and instability in the region.
THE CAMPAIGN
The Fund4Darfur campaign consisted of various activities and initiatives to raise awareness of the crisis and generate support for Aegis Trust’s efforts to provide aid and assistance to those affected. Some of the key elements of the campaign were:
Fundraising
The campaign primarily focused on raising funds from individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide. This involved a range of fundraising activities, such as direct mail campaigns, online donations, and special events.
Advocacy:
The campaign also aimed to raise awareness of Darfur’s crisis and advocate for greater international attention and support for the region. This involved working with policymakers, opinion leaders, and the media to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis and to build support for Aegis Trust’s efforts.
Partnerships:
The campaign also involved building partnerships with local organisations and communities in Darfur to support their efforts to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the conflict.
Public engagement:
The campaign sought to engage the public in the issue of the crisis in Darfur through a range of initiatives such as public rallies, social media campaigns, and community events.
Aid delivery:
The funds raised through the campaign were used to provide critical services such as food, shelter, and medical care to those affected by the conflict in Darfur in partnership with local organisations.
Overall, the Fund4Darfur campaign was a comprehensive effort to raise awareness of Darfur’s crisis and generate support for Aegis Trust’s efforts to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.
MY INVOLVEMENT
As a digital and content specialist, I planned and created compelling stories for the campaign and developed a digital and content strategy to increase reach and engagement.
The Fund4Darfur campaign was a significant digital advocacy campaign. The campaign included various media types, including video, text, and images, to convey the message and engage audiences. I led the filming and editing of several videos used in the campaign and led the media team for campaign events and content creation.
We focused on telling the stories of the people affected by the conflict, highlighting their struggles and hopes for the future. We also worked to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the situation in Darfur, including the atrocities committed and the impact on the local population.
Our team worked tirelessly to create authentic and compelling stories that resonate with audiences and drive them to take action. Through our efforts, we raised significant funds. We brought increased attention to the conflict in Darfur, which in part led to higher recognition of the genocide and more support and funding being provided to the region.
Overall, the Fund4Darfur campaign was a successful example of how storytelling can be used effectively in digital advocacy. By creating compelling and relatable narratives, we were able to engage audiences and inspire them to take action.