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February 22, 2006
Dear Member of Congress:
We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to
urgently request your support for the full FY 2006
supplemental appropriations request for peacekeeping and
humanitarian assistance in Darfur, including a minimum of
$123 million in “flexible funding” to support the African
Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). With the planning for a
transition to a UN peacekeeping mission now underway, it
is critical that this funding have the flexibility to be
merged with the appropriate account so as to avoid
resource gaps that might detract from adequate civilian
protection. We also urge Congress to provide no less than
the requested $228 million in the supplemental
appropriations bill to ensure continued humanitarian
assistance, including food and non-food aid, which is
needed to provide basic services for more than 3.4 million
individuals affected by the conflict.
In recent months, the situation in Darfur has
deteriorated significantly. Over two million people are
displaced and hundreds of thousands have already been
killed. Tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes
in December, and there are now reports that in recent
weeks up to 70,000 people have been forced from their
homes by renewed fighting in South Darfur. As the violence
continues unabated across the region, humanitarian
agencies are finding it more difficult to access those
desperately in need of assistance. In his November 2005
speech at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, Deputy
Secretary of State Robert Zoellick stated “Those who are
suffering the most from continued violence are the poor
victims, who are least able to provide for themselves.”
The African Union has played an important role in
combating large scale violence despite the fact that it is
hampered by a range of issues articulated in the recent
Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the
Situation in Darfur (The Sudan). Nonetheless, a robust and
adequately funded peacekeeping mission remains vital to
meeting all the emergency needs in Darfur. The AU has
authorized the continuation of AMIS as it works with the
international community to consider the next steps for
peacekeeping in Darfur. However, current funding can
maintain the mission only through March, and the AU has
reiterated its need for additional contributions from
donors to sustain and enhance the mission in the months
that follow.
As Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrote in the Washington
Post on January 25, 2006 , “the AU mission must be
maintained and strengthened. We cannot afford any gaps or
any weakening of the force in place…and the massive relief
operation must continue, and be fully funded, so that
Darfur's people continue to receive clean water, food and
other vital supplies.” The consequences of a reduced or
otherwise limited African Union presence would be
catastrophic for the people of Darfur. Simultaneously,
humanitarian agencies are preparing for up to 60 percent
cuts in funding, which will have a disastrous impact on
the ability of these organizations to deliver critical,
life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people.
Last year, the Senate approved $50 million to support
AMIS in the FY06 foreign operations appropriations bill.
However, this much-needed funding was cut from the final
bill during conference committee. Despite urgent appeals
for the funding to be restored through the FY06 military
appropriations bill, Congress elected not to approve
additional resources for AMIS last year. And, while the
State Department is now requesting a transfer of $30
million from the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI)
account to the African Union, this transfer, is merely a
stop-gap measure. Without specifically designated funding
for peacekeeping in Darfur, the future effectiveness of
the mission hangs precariously in the balance.
To date, the U.S. government has appropriated more than
$164 million to AMIS, most of which has been used to
construct and maintain camps for the troops, and more than
$900 million in FY05-FY06 for emergency relief in Sudan.
Accordingly, we urge Congress to support the full
supplemental appropriations request for Darfur, including
at least $123 million in funding for the AU mission in
Darfur and for a potential transition to a UN peacekeeping
mission, and at least $228 million in continued
humanitarian assistance. The situation on the ground is
critical, and there is no time to waste.
Sincerely,
Africa Action
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Africare
Air Serv International
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish World Service
American Refugee Committee International
Amnesty International USA
Anti-Defamation League
B’nai B’rith International
CARE
Church World Service
Citizens for Global Solutions
Counterpart International, Inc.
Darfur Peace and Development Organization
Darfur Rehabilitation Project
Eritrean Community for Human Rights and Refugee Protection
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington Office
Food for the Hungry
Foreign Policy in Focus
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Genocide Intervention Network
Global Grassroots
Global Ministries, United Church of Christ and
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Human Rights First
Human Rights Watch
International Peace Operations Association
International Rescue Committee
Jewish Council For Public Affairs
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Jubilee Campaign USA
Lutheran World Relief
Mercy Corps
My Sister’s Keeper
National Council of Jewish Women
National STAND Coalition
Oxfam America
Physicians for Human Rights
Presbyterian Church, (USA), Washington Office
Refugees International
Relief International
Salam Sudan Foundation (SSF)
Save Darfur Coalition
Save the Children
Sojourners
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregrations
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
United Jewish Communities
United Methodist Church, General Board of
Church and Society
Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
State and Local Organizations
American Friends Service Committee, MAR-DC
Dear Sudan: Love Contra Costa County
George Washington University Students
Taking Action Now: Darfur
Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
Michigan Action Network on Africa
Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition
Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, California
Washington State Africa Network
Western Massachusetts Darfur Coalition
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