British authors call for Darfur aid

LONDON, April 12 (UPI) -- Several popular British authors, including "Harry Potter" creator J.K. Rowling, are calling for an end to the atrocities in Darfur.

In an open letter to the international community, the authors joined with their U.S. counterparts to ask that governments worldwide take action and help resolve the bloody conflict in the Sudanese region, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"It's time to change the narrative. It is time to tell a different story. This April many children in Darfur will be reaching their fifth birthday without ever knowing peace," the authors wrote. "The world needs to wake up. For too long, it has let these children down. Our politicians need to take action in Darfur."

To date, more than 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes in Darfur and 200,000 others have lost their lives.

The Telegraph said author Michael Morpugo also lent his support to the letter, as well as Tracey West, "Inkworld" trilogy author Cornelia Funke and "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" writer Judy Blume.