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Fast-response “vanguard brigade” of Peacekeepers now a reality

Fast-response “vanguard brigade” of Peacekeepers now a reality

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A “vanguard brigade” of UN Peacekeepers which can be deployed within 60 days to new trouble-spots, would have been “impossible” to envisage just two years ago.

But not any longer, according to Hervé Ladsous, the out-going Peacekeeping chief, who said in his final interview with UN News that the department (DPKO) had become more efficient in recent years, without “lowering the quality” of often life-saving services it provides around the world.

Around 126 countries contribute civilian, military and police personnel to DPKO, which has well over 100,000 people on active duty.

Mr Ladsous explained to Jocelyne Sambira how the department had been able to cut the budget from $US8.2 billion down to $US7.2 billion since 2011, when he took on the job.

Duration: 7’51”

Photo Credit
UN Photo/Manuel Elías