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FfP Urges Strengthening Capacities of New Generation of Peacekeepers |
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Thursday, 19 January 2006 |
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Press Release Washington, DC, January 20, 2006: In a report released today, The Fund for Peace (FfP) urges the international community to begin thinking about a two-phased approach to humanitarian emergencies that threaten civilians, based on strengthening the niche capacities of regional and subregional bodies as first responders in crisis situations. “As the humanitarian disasters of the 21st century have continued to demonstrate, it is time to consider a new international architecture of response with increased roles for regional and subregional bodies as well as coalitions of willing state actors. At the same time, the contributions of a new generation of peacekeepers should be recognized and bolstered,” said Patricia Taft, Senior Associate and author of the report.
Realizing “Never Again:” Regional Capacities to Protect Civilians in Violent Conflict is based on over two years of extensive field research and interviews with representatives from the main regional and subregional bodies in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. It also surveys the existing capacities of national actors to respond to humanitarian disasters and details the existence of niche capacities found throughout the four regions that have proved valuable in former and ongoing peace and stability operations.
The report notes that over the past two decades, the United Nations has found itself woefully under-prepared for the scale of violence and atrocities it has confronted in places like Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Haiti. It recommends that the international community now focus on strengthening the capacities of regional and subregional organizations in their efforts to confront internal wars that threaten widespread loss of civilian lives. The current African Union mission in Darfur is an example of such an opportunity.
“While crucial to the long-term security of Darfur, discussions on the timing and nature of a follow-on United Nations, NATO or European Union-led mission should not distract the international community from the urgent and immediate need to provide increased support to the African Union’s mission. AMIS is the only chance that the civilians of Darfur have for protection in the foreseeable future,” said Jason Ladnier, Senior Associate and contributing author.
The report identifies existing capacities, examines best practices, and makes concrete recommendations on how to fill the gaps on the road ahead so that the international community can finally make good on its promise of “never again.”
For a full text of the report, visit The Fund for Peace website: http://www.fundforpeace.org
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CONTACT
Patricia Taft, Tel: 202-223-7940 x 203, E-mail:
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Jason Ladnier, Tel: 202-223-7940, x 206, E-mail:
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The report was released January 20, 2006. The report can be found at The Fund for Peace website: http://www.fundforpeace.org/publications/reports/reports.php.
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