Photo credit: Ann Curry
By Ann Curry
NBC News anchor
Climbing into Sudan's Nuba Mountains I turned and saw her standing above me, in a dress so clean and white it seemed out of place with her surroundings.
Something about her seemed at once strong, even heroic and yet achingly vulnerable. She didn't move as I raised my camera to take a picture of her and the sleeping baby she carried: two children among thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands living in caves to survive the relentless bombing.
Photo credit: Ann Curry
Photo credit: Ann Curry
Even small children know to run at the sound of the government's Antonov warplanes. Our news team had just sat down in at the mouth of a cave when the plane's "Whoooo woooooh" sound grew very loud. Suddenly children and adults started scrambling inside, tripping and falling on top of each other in a silent fear. It is odd, I realized, how quiet children are here, uttering not a word even at this moment.
All we heard was 89-year-old Cooli Kafi Darbar praying. Cooli is a former school teacher, who has been credited with translating the Bible into Kronga, the language of the Nuba people.
His quiet prayer translated, "The God of Isaac and Abraham, thank you for everything, for suffering and for blessings."
Hearing this, his 64-year-old daughter Hanna began to stare, seemingly at some memory, before she started to cry. Then she parted her lips and sang, "Why can't I find any comfort in this world," tears rolling down her left cheek and dropping off her chin.
It is a good question.
Photo credit: Ann Curry
The Nuba are being bombed nearly every day now by their own government that seems intent on clearing them from these mountains.
When the people of South Sudan fought for independence from the government of President Omar al-Bashir (the same President Bashir who the International Criminal Court has accused of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur), the Nuba fought with them. But when territorial lines were drawn, the Nuba were left on what they considered the wrong side of the border.
Photo credit: Ann Curry
Sudan's government says it is fighting an insurgency. We met Nuba rebels who showed us the artillery they said they'd confiscated from government troops, but they insisted their people were attacked first.
People say government military units called the "Abu Tiera," led by Ahmed Harun (also accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity in Darfur), went door to door, targeting only Nuba homes with systematic rape, murder and kidnappings while leaving Arabs untouched.
There are no accurate numbers of how many people may have disappeared, but some experts say satellite images are consistent with reports of mass graves.
Brigadier General Nimori Morat told us, "We are fighting just to live."
Photo credit: Ann Curry
The United Nations estimates that in the Nuba Mountains, and in the neighboring states that have also been attacked in the wake of South Sudan’s independence, 585,000 people have been displaced.
This seems to be a war over territory and, in one area, over oil, but it appears to have also unleashed ethnic cleansing.
"They say our skin is like charcoal," the elderly Cooli told us. Another woman who survived an attack said, ”They called us dogs and said we are the only people because we are Arabs and you are Nuba."
Photo credit: Ann Curry
Photo credit: Ann Curry
How could a war such as this be largely unknown to the rest of the world?
Journalists are not allowed into the Nuba Mountains. It was only because we snuck across the border that we reached the caves, and even then, we were wary of bombs and Sudan military units a few kilometers away. Ultimately we had to leave the same night because it was unsafe, we were told, to stay.
Sure enough, some of the places where we had been were attacked at sunrise and there appeared to be an effort to cut off the road into the Nuba Mountains completely. How will the people in the mountains survive this war, and soon, the potential famine that will result from being unable to plant their crops? Humanitarian aid has also been cut off from the mountains.
Photo credit: Ann Curry
While the international community wonders what, if anything, can be done, we saw a boy in a refugee camp wearing, of all things, an Obama t-shirt.
And we heard several people, including children, thank us for taking their picture. If they are going to suffer, and even die, they at least want the world to know what is happening here.
Photo credit: Ann Curry
Leave a Comment:
We need to help these people, we can not stand by andnot do anything. We are a blessed nation.
It seems Ann didn't want to report the whole story. The truth is its the Loving Muslims killing the Christians again, they are barbaric and need to be sent back to the stone ages where they belong. Stop coddling them, Muslims are evil, will butcher anyone who does not go along with them. They are horrible to women. Where are the womens rights groups, That's right their worry about college girls not getting their birth control, that is much more imporatant than starving children being starved by their own kind.
So true!
Hey ... before trying to pass judgements on Ann Curry or Muslims .... get this .... Sudan also has oil.
@ Sic&Tired-5366211 - the Nuba are Christian and Muslim. Get your facts straight before criticizing. In fact, many of the amazing people of Sudan (Muslims) do not support this war. The war is by an evil regime driven by ambition for power, not religion.
Mention by the media of just some of the crap that has been going on in Africa for decades? Hundreds of thousands killed, a few hundred thousand girls and women raped and deformed. Heads being cut-off. Little children being tortured and having their right arm and a leg chopped off. Mass starvation, no water......
Then when a few unknowns decide to have a revolution in Syria the world roars?
This story is a lie. Has to be.
Muslims are peaceful people! Islam is the most tolerant religion! Right?
So again, this is unpossible.
This kind of stuff makes you hate people in this world....
No need to hate. You can find plenty of it here on these threads.
To Marzetta Stogner, and why do we need to help them? Africa is the cradle of the human race, the way they are is the same they have been for thousands of years, in Africa their own people people sold their people to the Portuguese and Spaniards for slavery. They don't need help, people should not be there trying to Christianize them or change their ways. We are not the police of the world or the saviors, if you think on saving other people how about helping our children with education and a cleaner future.
Thank you Ann for your bravery- I know you have a family yourself that you left for a time to go cover this story in such a dangerous place, so that we can all be aware. It is mind boggling to be aware that these people don't experience the comfort of safety that we have here at home. This was an amazing story. close to the heart.
More Muslims being Muslim. Murder, Rape and Robbery is sanctioned in their religion. This is why Muslims will never be any else besides animals. Their prophet was a self professed child molester (he took his wife when she was 9 years old and he was 54) and they worship the Arab pagan moon god Allah (that's right, Muslims are not of Abraham) that was practicing animal and human sacrifice when Mohammad took over the religion to commit mass murder in the name of their pagan god.
Why isn't Ann Curry so concerned to show the plight of Americans living in poverty? We have malnourished children and seniors and whole families without a place to live. Didn't she pay attention to the bit about people not taking their meds as prescribed because they cannot afford to?
I know I am blessed. I choose to help my neighbors here at home.
People around the world need help! That's selfish to say we should only help our own! And I think they have it worse off--we don't try to bomb our people.
Have you sat down with Ann Curry to find out that she isn't concerned with the plight of Americans living in poverty? I think not. She is doing her job and reporting. That is not to say there isn't a plight in the United States, but I don't see the US bombing its own people, I don't see them doing what they are doing in the Sudan. Global concerns DO effect all of us. Sometimes people need to shut their mouth and open their heart!
It is not an either/or situation. We must be doing both and we are. Please continue to reach out and help your neighbors here at home without begrudging someone their hearts desire to help their neighbor in Sudan.
I think it is wonderful that you choose to help your neighbors but I think the persecution and hunting and murdering of these people is more the point in this story.
Well said Michael G Sluder! Cheers!
How can you equate what poor people go through here with being bombed and living in caves on the edge of famine? We have no idea what these people are suffering. I grew up in a very poor neighborhood with many people on foodstamps, government help, as well as a lot of homeless people. None of them are in the same destitute situation these people in Sudan are in. Their government hates them and is bombing them daily, they have little to no food, and no one is stepping in to help them.
I don't think you get it 'jkatze'; There's no comparison between the needs in our country and the needs of these people, they are being persecuted and killed. Poor people in the US get help from the government and many other institutions, for example, food stamps, child care, etc....I believe if you are poor in the US is because you choose to be; These people have no choice....These kids deserve a better life.
While I share the view that we need to take care of Americans we need to put this subject in perspective. Even though there does exist poverty in the US, no one needs to starve to death. They may not feast on a gourmet meal but they won't die. These people not only starve but have to endure being bombed,mutalated,raped and die without medical care. Do I believe that America alone should help these people? No! Until the area has something to offer the world they probably won't get much help.
I don't think its selfish at all to take care of your own, since Ann does not want to report the whole story, its brain dead Muslim terrorist killing their own. They claim to be loving but I've yet to see that, they treat their women terrible, have no respect for life, to concerned with their virgins. And usually a virgin is a young girl. As for me and my family we'll take care of our neighbors. As an old military man said, "I will not donate to someone who wants to kill my Grandchildren" Enough said, Hey Maybe the Taliban has some extra Dollars, they can take care of their own.
Your an idiot
amber, if you are referring to me, please learn to spell. There is no credibility in illiteracy.
I suspect many of the 'oh-we-must-help-these-poor-people-in-a-war-zone' comments come from folks living comfortable lives removed from the reality of life in blighted, urban America. Those are war zones. A good percentage of those gunned down in the street are innocent kids caught in cross-fire or mistaken for the enemy. A mother in Sudan is no more devastated by the murder of her children than a mother in Chicago, L.A., NY, Philly etc.
17,000,000 (28%) of American children are malnourished.
Go ahead folks, keep sending your money overseas. But you forfeit the right to bellyache about urban blight, gangs, and crime committed by kids.
jkatze Thank you for your post. Sadly it is so very true and probably more than we even know. It is said that one in four children in America goes to bed hungry. One in four girls, under the age of 18, has been sexually abused. On and on it goes and we ignore this?
There are still Americans who refuse to accept any form of government money, for reasons that are very personal.
I am now very careful about the groups in America to whom I send any money. I have grown tired of most these so called non-profits, the 501c3's with their plush offices, six and sever figure salaries, fancy new cars, and fat bank accounts as well as bunched hedge fund investments........They are not using our money given as intended. However, there are some who seem to really carry the majority of the burden and who accomplish the most good. Many of these choose not to register as a certified non-profit for their personal reasons. The only down side of that is that the donor is not able to write their "gift" off their taxes. That, to me, is the bright side; because then the giver is really giving from their heart and not for the tax advantages.
Keep on posting and helping your neighbors. That is what it is all about, that is the true American way, that is what made our nation great.
Heidi Zimmermann Backes post 2.2 yes, and sometimes people need to get off their fat asses and act.
Hey Isabel Osmundsen:
Since we're broke, I suppose then we should borrow money from China to help the world, right?
On the backs of taxpayers and future generations, right?
THE ME, ME, ME MENTALITY SUCKS!!!!
Don't go to places like the Sudan. When you get kidnapped, don't expect the Navy Seals to rescue you.
Seriously! Can you be any more close minded!
I agree, Don't Go, it's not right to put our soldiers in danger from those THUGS,
Call up the United Nations, USA has given them Billions to feed peoples, make them do their job. I think my family has given enough money through my taxes.
The United Nations is totally worthless. They are nothing but a bunch of privileged foreigners who would rather live in the US than in their homeland. What have they done lately?
This is so sad. The world, particularly the developed countries current facing a "tight budget" will sit idly by and watch them die, only years later admitting it was real. Sounds hauntingly familiar...
this is so sad, i want to help asap..
Seriously jkatze? President Omar-al Bashir is the no better than Hitler. He's killing off thousands of innocent people because of their nationality and the best you can do is criticize Ann Curry for trying to help these people? Perhaps you should stick your head back in the sand.
Thank you Ann for being so brave and selfless to bring light to such a travesty!
You can donate to Ryan at
Thank you Ann for risking you life to enlighten me. I pray we can all come together and make a difference.
Ann avoided mentioning the truth. Christians all over the Muslim world are being slaughtered by barbaric Muslims who despise civilized Christian People. Arab Spring-or Spring time for Hitler and the Muslim Brother Hood has created a hell on Earth for Christians in Muslim countries and for Jews in Israel and the Muslim world. NBC promoted a Marxist who disguised him self as a Christian. Marxist love Islam because it is not a religion but a totalitarian miltarized polygamist cult. We have a Carlos the Jackel in the white house and NBC helped put him there.
Yep, prayer. That's effective.
(rolls eyes)
I was just watching Ann Curry's report and it breaks my heart to see the condition these people are living under for no fault of their own other than being caught in the middle of two vicious, terrorists groups.
People are people no matter what part of the world they were born. BE led by one's heart and spirit, and bring hope and help to others....whether near or afar.
You can donate to Ryan at kickstarter.com, just put in his name "ryan boyette"
Thank you for opening our eyes to the suffering of others. Poverty in developing countries cannot be compared to poverty in America. I am a social worker who works with low income families in DC. I have also been to India and Africa. We are rich compare to poor people in developing countries. We have government programs and food available, opportunities and choices. They don't. I wonder which International organizations are there to help?
This savage brutality and racial cleansing has been going on for years in Sudan. People only seem to take notice after hundreds of thousands of people are murdered or die of starvation. Thank you Ann Curry for exposing the massacre happening now in Sudan. For those who want to help there are non-profit humanitarian organizations working together on helping the most vulnerable of the region. The IRC, The Enough Project, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are international groups who put their lives on the line to render aid in Sudan and are good to support financially.
People are people no matter what part of the world they were born. BE led by one's heart and spirit, and bring hope to others. We all need help and support on our journey.Thank you for stretching our boundaries and comfort levels.
Ann Curry is one of my heroes and I am so thankful for her willingness t go places I can't go to and to share what she learns.
The people of the Nuba Mountains, South Sudan, and Sudan are forgotten by most of the world. There are very few organizations ministering to them. They are the victims of some of the most heinous atrocities you can even imagine. The children and women are especially vulnerable. One such organization that is active in this area and several others has built the only indigenously operated orphanages in Sudan and the New Republic of Southern Sudan, Africa. Make Way Partners criteria for selecting the places they minister is based on just two criteria:
1. Where women & children are at highest risk of human trafficking, forced prostitution and other forms of modern-day slavery.
2. Where little to no other help is available because it is considered either "too" dangerous, "too" expensive or "too" remote for most people to go.
Visit for more information, and read Passport Through Darkness by the President of Make Way Partners, Kimberly Smith, to learn more about this inspiring ministry and the most brave woman I know.
We are a small part of the larger world community and should, as one of the richer parts help anyone who is suffering such atrocity. No child in any country should be allowed to starve for any reason.
A young man with all of his life before him risked his life to stay there with his wife when he was told to leave. Ann Curry risked her life to bring that story to us. I fear for anyone trapped between these warring factions.
i am on disability and they help like a cure is needed for ms
Where is god in all this...
He/She/It is in Aspen on a two week holiday. You don't think God needs a break from us?
God is where He has always been, although we will never understand the suffering in this world. We know that He is still in control. Men have choices and there choice to be evil is apparent in Sudan. There is going to be suffering here but we have eternity to look forward too. Where will you spend eternity? Please pray for and with these people I am sure that God knows there suffering. But Jesus suffered worse on the cross and that is what we look too the CROSS and JESUS
Blessings
Dear Ann - thank you for bringing a new awareness to us all. This is a tragedy and needs to be reported. The links between this shrinking world and the pain throughout the world need to be recognize, reported and understood by all with compassion and hopefully a way to help those in need ...everywhere...a brilliant job reporting a peice of the truth of this world Ann - no matter how painful it is to hear it and how easy it is to feel sorry for ourselves...this information needs to be in our world awareness and part of our global decision making and caring...
Here are the facts. While the people of the Sudan suffer, people are lying dead in the streets of North Korea. The governmnet is killing its own people in Syria. The list is lengthy and none of it is of more importance than any another story of human brutality. It is noble that this story is being told, but there are countless other stories just as extreme. We cannot fix the world any longer. We cannot do it with military might and the ability in the case of Sudan to get food to the people is unworkable under present circumstances. It is simply life and death on a planet full of people bent on destroying one another. Not exactly new for the human race.
All good touchy feely stuff, kill the thugs who are terrorizing the women and children. Don't play games with them, Just like group of rabid dogs, just kill them, and the children must know you do not treat fellow human beings like animals, let them know society will not tolerate animal behavior. Why is no one mentioning the United Nations, they have been given Millions and Millions and Millions to feed the hungry
God is very present in all this, Amunaka. Many people from Nuba are courageous followers of Christ, who are willing to risk their lives to speak up and protect their own in the face of fierce persecution. I could tell you many stories of how God is very present in the midst of a situation caused by man's wickedness. I have met many Nuba people and they have blessed me by their kind, gentle spirit and their courageous faith. No one but God can give his children courage and love in the midst of fiery storms. God is very present in the Nuba mountains!
To..Laurent"""
I wish I could believe that ...but I don't
It does not matter if you believ it or not, I wished that you did believe, but the fact is that God does exist and He knows all things, your disbelief does not make it untrue, and my belief does not make it true, it's just true.
Amunaka, the cool thing about God is that he gives us a free-will choice. He doesn't want or expect blind followers. He's open to those who want to test his promises and need evidence before they can commit. It's all there for you to try and if you do so with an open and earnest heart you will find he is ALWAYS consistent and keeps his promises (nowhere in the Bible does he promise life will be easy or without trials and tribulations but he does promise that those who accept him won't face anything they can't get through without him!) The true test of his existence, like everything in life, is repeatability. I've never met or heard of someone who actually learned God's word, sought a place for him in their heart, and determined he didn't exist (I've known many who turned away of their own accord for various reasons though.) I've never found God didn't keep one of his promises to believers (yes I've seen and experienced times where what he did wasn't what I thought or wanted but it has always turned out for the better even if it took me awhile to realize it.)
There will be many who will disagree with me but the question for them is have you tried or have you simply sat on the sidelines and cast doubt? For anybody who makes a free-will choice to ignore God (religion should be a free-will choice and never imposed, inherited, or otherwise pushed upon someone), I have no problem with you but I'm not the one to be worried about in the end...
who's GOD do you all refer to yours or thiers? Religion is the cause of all wars. You may think it is oil, greed, wealth, power etc. but at the root of all wars is organized religion.
Oh. Ok. That would include Hitler. I had no idea he was a God. But then there are always the people like me with the damned exceptions to the rule of religion causing all wars. Blanket statements such as those do not bode well for people giving you the time of day in the future if they are based on comments as poorly thought out as that one.
cpt cracker jack, I respectfully disagree. I believe the root cause of most wars is the LOVE of money. People usurp religion as a shield/excuse/feint but in the end if you follow the money trail it always leads back to those in true control (who themselves may manipulate politicians for their purposes.) Thinks about what's going on internally in Afghanistan (think about who controls the poppy fields), Middle East strife (oil market manipulation), parts of Africa (resources like diamonds, ivory, etc.)
I am the daughter of missionaries who were helping the Nubas in the 1950's I was born in Sudan and the stories I read are so sad and true. I have met a number of Nubas who have come here as refugees in recent years and the stories they tell bring tears to my eyes. Everything I can read about the area confirms the fact that these people are suffering extreme persecution.
Hey Brian Williams and Ann Curry are the 1%, let them share their wealth. Put your money where mouth is, Their millionaires, I'm not!
I think they think they did their job by reporting the atrocities. Williams isn't going to give up the suit to pitch in personally. That would be gauche. He's not making any moves to drop to 4% or less. Trust me.
Well, I've done my job, I've sent my taxes in. I'm watching the news and I'm going to help my fellow neighbors that have been struck by tornados
If God is in the Nuba mountains, send a petition for him to intervene instead of watching it happen. It used to be that he was much more directly involved in Old Testament times. Apparently he has had a change of heart concerning a new prime directive of non-interfernece. Oh well. And so it goes.
Laurent, your right this is a Muslim - Christian situation, Christians are killed by the Islamis, they are not loving like they try to portray themselves. If the media would start reporting the real news and not coddle thugs, Use the words Islamist terrorist, not Arabs, do you think we can't read between the lines, we can