Jordanian Police join Darfur peacekeeping mission

August 19, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – Some 46 Jordanian police personnel arrived today to the capital of North Darfur where they will join the hybrid peacekeeping mission.

Today batch is the advance party while the remaining personnel are scheduled to arrive on August 28.

Jordan will deploy two units of police made up of 140 personnel each and will be based in El Fasher and Kabkabiya in North Darfur.

The advance party will be responsible for the setting up of equipments and accommodation in preparation for the main body.

The Formed Police Units’ main task is in the protection of civilians, conduct community policing in South Darfur, especially in Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Investigate incidents, support UN agencies and international organizations in their delivery of humanitarian aids.

Besides providing security, they will also assist national authorities and UN agencies in delivering humanitarian assistance in times of need and conducting escort duties for other UNAMID components.

Jordan is the fifth country to contribute formed police unit to UNAMID, after the Bangladeshi, Indonesia, Nepal and Nigeria. A total of 19 Formed Police Units was mandated by the Security Council resolution establishing UNAMID.

UNAMID is also expecting the arrival of Senegalese formed police unit later this month. Meanwhile, UNAMID police also received nine police officers from the Philippines and eight police officers from Namibia.

(ST)