Dear Samme
One year ago, the UN Security Council assured the world that they could have 80% of the UN-African Union peacekeeping force on the ground by the end of 2008. Today, less than 50% of the 26,000 troops are deployed in Darfur. The UN now says that only 60% of the authorized peacekeepers will be deployed by the end of the year.
One year ago, UN member states promised to provide helicopters and other essential equipment necessary for bringing peace to Darfur. Today, deployed troops still lack this critical equipment and are forced to make do with limited supplies.
One year ago, millions of Darfuris hoped that the UN would come through on their promise to protect Darfur. Today, many have lost their lives waiting. Delays are killing Darfur. Tell the UN Security Council to make good on their pledge to protect Darfur.
The people of Darfur are not much better off than they were one year ago. Despite pledges from the UN Security Council to improve the situation, little progress has been made in stopping the violence.
Such delays in support also put the peacekeepers at greater risk of danger and make them more vulnerable to attack. Just this month, a group of peacekeepers were ambushed in Darfur and their weapons seized by militants. Peacekeepers cannot keep the peace without the full support of the UN Security Council. Demand a fully-resourced and fully-deployed peacekeeping force in Darfur.
With each year of delay, the people of Darfur pay a terrible price. If the UN Security Council waits to follow through on its pledge to protect Darfur, who knows what tragedies the next year will bring?
Urge the UN Security Council to take action for the people of Darfur today.