Training UN peacekeepers ㏌ difficult timesーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Since 1948, the United Nations has deployed peacekeeping units to hotspots around the world. Their activities range from monitoring ceasefires to observing elections. Often known as the Blue Helmets, these forces are made up of personnel from UN member nations. Many of their missions take them into dangerous situations. To date, more than 4,000 peacekeepers have been killed in the course of their duties. and that has led some countries to pull out their units from certain missions. At the same time, some peacekeeping operations are being impacted by domestic political factors in member nations. Despite this, one initiative led by Japan continues to play a key role. In HK World’s Sugimoto Yuki has the report. This facility on the outskirts of Nairobi provides training for peacekeepers from around the world. The current team of instructors includes members of Japan’s self-defense forces who are staying there for about two months. The 30 trainees are from four countries including Kenya and neighboring Uganda. They are learning to use a bulldozer to build a position. For many of them, this is the first time they’ve handled heavy machinery and some do not even have a driving license. The most difficult part at first we are failing to to dig even the pushing but this time everything is okay. I’m proud to participate in this program which contributes to improving the security environment. The underlying reason for setting up this facility was due to changes in peacekeeping. Since the 1990s, developed countries have reduced direct deployment to high-risk mission that followed an incident in which 18 US soldiers were killed during a mission in Somalia. Instead, personnel from Asian and African countries are now on the front line. However, some countries have been unable to provide sufficient training and that resulted in fatal accidents. It is important to prepare them uh and to ensure that they have the skills and the knowledge to enable them uh not only protect themselves but also be able to undertake the mandate that they have uh been assigned. Recognizing the need for better training, a triangular partnership program was launched 10 years ago led by Japan. The initiative is a three-way collaboration between the countries contributing the troops, the countries support the training program and the United Nations to improve the efficiency of the peacekeeping operations. Initially, Japan was the only donor country, but after a decade, the number has risen to 42. Now more than 100 countries are involved in the program, including those sending trainees. A gathering to mark its 10th anniversary in June drew many participants. At the same time, the training programs have expanded to cover fields such as medical care, communications, and dealing with explosives tailored to the actual situation on the ground. A Swiss Army colonel involved in training peacekeepers for many years points out the need to be ready to deal with new threats. 25 years ago, the Blue Barrett was protecting you. Nobody was attacking UN troops and this changed now dramatically. So uh peacekeepers must be aware not only by improvised exposed devices currently but also by future threats by drones by mis and disinformation by fake news. However, a major challenge has arising over the budget for peacekeeping. This is funded by contributions from UN member states of which the US is mandated to contribute 27% the largest share but reports indicate the Trump administration may withhold its payment. A senior Kenyan government official is concerned that cutting the budget might lead to instability in the region. There is always the effect of an unstable country even to the rest of the countries and the region. For example, in Kenya when we have issues within with our countries, neighboring countries, we we host refugees. Peace missions are critical for count specific countries for the region and for Africa. And so we have to retreat and think what is it we do as global actors uh as global players to make sure peace missions are not injured uh by the budget cuts. A senior peacekeeping official says the UN is planning an emergency reduction in expenditures. He says the emphasis will be on improvements in quality rather than quantity. If the member states do not pay their assessed contributions in full and on time, there will be a serious impact on peacekeeping. When the resources are constrained, it is extremely important to have very effective trained peacekeepers so that even when they are less in number, they can effectively implement their mandate, bring peace and security. Yuki and HK World Nairobi. In a perfect world, there would be no need for peacekeepers. But in the real world of constant conflict, it seems like their work is more important than ever. While officials search for ways to sustain operational capacity, it’s extremely worrisome that peacekeeping missions may be at the whim of powerful global players. Their very presence represents the potential for peace for the many millions whose wish is for just
Since 1948, UN peacekeeping forces have been deployed to hotspots around the world. However, concern over budget cuts is raising questions about their future. Even so, essential training is continuing at a facility in Kenya, led by Japanese initiatives. #world #japan #usa #africa #asiapacific #security
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