The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today received five MI-35 tactical helicopters from Ethiopia. The helicopters arrived in Nyala, South Darfur, with 15 pilots and crew members onboard.

They will join a 185-member advance team, including pilots, technicians and protection force, which arrived last month.

UNAMID JSR Ibrahim Gambari has expressed his most sincere gratitude to the Ethiopian government for this latest contribution to the Mission indicating that the helicopters will provide rapid response to areas which had been difficult to access by ground. "My hope is that other member states will come to the Mission's assistance in providing critically needed aviation assets," he added. UNAMID still requires 18 utility helicopters and two transport units.

The tactical helicopters will largely be used for troop deployment and monitoring the security situation in Darfur.

Ethiopia's current contribution to the Mission includes a medium transport company, an infantry battalion, an engineering unit and a multi-role logistics company.

Inauguration of UNAMID/UNDP projects in Ardamata Prison in West Darfur

In a joint effort to assist the prison system in Darfur, UNAMID Rule of Law and UNDP inaugurated yesterday the "Legal Aid and Literacy Programme for Female Inmates" at Ardamata Prison in El Geneina, West Darfur. The launch is part of a broader support programme to assist the prison system in Darfur.

The two organizations will establish a mechanism to coordinate prison development and programmes in West Darfur, as well as in North and South Darfur; provide support training and human resource development for prison staff; upgrade infrastructure, including water, sanitation and healthcare; and, vocational training programmes for rehabilitations of prisons throughout the region.

The launch was attended by senior officials from UNAMID and UNDP as well as senior Government of Sudan officials including the Director of the Prison of Ardamata, Chief Justice of West Darfur, Government of Sudan Deputy Commander, Minister of Social Welfare and the Advisor to the Wali (Governor) on Women and Children in West Darfur.

The Mission will continue to work closely with the government to build the institutional capacity of the prison system throughout Darfur.

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