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UNAMID IN TROUBLE: Peacekeeping delays in Darfur

19, 555 personnel were slated to join the 7,000 struggling African Union (AU) forces in Darfur by the end of 2007. This 'UNAMID' force (a joint UN/AU mission) still had only 68% of it's personnel by July 1st, 2009.

Meanwhile, millions of displaced and vulnerable Darfurians remain at risk and humanitarian supply routes are frequently unsafe or inaccessible.

The international community is failing the people of Darfur. The Sudanese government is responsible for delaying UNAMID’s deployment, but have been met with little resistance from United Nations member states. Furthermore, international donors have yet to commit some of the essential supplies the mission requires to succeed.

Canada has already made some important contributions to the UNAMID mission. We can do more to get peacekeepers the supplies and capacities they still need today.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Canada must support UNAMID

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write, email or call Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and tell him that Canada must act now! Use the 3 points below in your message. Using your own words is best, but sample written and phone texts are available below as well. Keep your communications clear, polite and as factual as possible.

CONTACT PRIME MINISTER HARPER:

EMAIL: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

SNAIL MAIL: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper / Prime Minister of Canada / House of Commons / Ottawa, Ontario / K1A 0A6
PHONE: 613-992-4211

THREE THINGS THAT CANADA MUST DO NOW TO SUPPORT UNAMID:

1) Condemn actions by Khartoum that obstruct or delay UNAMID's deployment, and actively work with the international community to get an effective force of 26,000 peacekeepers on the ground to protect Darfuri civilians now;
2) Make Darfur a national foreign policy priority, committing increased diplomatic, financial, material and logistical resources to UNAMID to ensure its success; and
3) Act at the highest levels with other donor states to secure the helicopters and other equipment UNAMID desperately needs. (Note that Canada unfortunately does not have the type of helicopters currently needed by UNAMID, but numerous other countries do.)

SAMPLE TEXTS for writing to Prime Minister Harper

WRITTEN TEXT:

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I am writing because Canada should be doing more to support peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan. The UNAMID mission will fail if members of the international community do not act now to ensure its success.

UNAMID was supposed to be fully deployed and operational by 31 December 2007, but due to Sudanese interference and lack of adequate international support, this deadline is still far from being met. Meanwhile, 3 million Darfuri civilians desperately await the intervention.

To support UNAMID and to prevent further loss of lives in Darfur, Canada must immediately: 1) condemn all Sudanese attempts to obstruct the mission’s deployment, 2) dramatically increase support to UNAMID, and 3) work with members of the international community to secure essential helicopter pledges.

I am deeply concerned about the Darfur crisis, and like other Canadians, want to see more action from our government on this issue.

Sincerely,
[your name & contact information].

PHONE TEXT:

Hello, I am calling today concerning the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

My name is [your name] and I live in [place]. I would like Mr. Harper to know that Canada should be acting now to ensure the success of UNAMID peacekeepers in Darfur. The mission is facing potential failure due to Sudanese Government interference and a lack of support from the international community. As well, international donors have yet to commit the small number of helicopters UNAMID will need to succeed. Canada must immediately: 1) condemn all Sudanese attempts to obstruct the mission’s deployment, 2) dramatically increase support to UNAMID, and 3) work with members of the international community to secure essential helicopter pledges. Please relay this message to the Prime Minister on my behalf. Thank you for your time.