World Vision calls on Canada to invoke "Responsibility to Protect"
 
OTTAWA, August 17, 2004 - Today World Vision (WV) called on the Canadian government to take a more active, robust response to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. In response to crises in Rwanda, Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, Canada led the development of a new framework for international action entitled Responsibility to Protect.  Now it is time to apply this framework to the situation in Darfur, Sudan, argued World Vision.

WV and other international humanitarian organizations are responding to the emergency needs of civilians, but protecting their security requires stronger action by governments, including the Government of Canada.   In the context of the UN Security Council's Resolution 1556, WV proposed that Canada pursue the following strategy:

• Mobilize greater international support for the African Union Protection Force that was recently deployed to Darfur and build support for a stronger mandate under a stronger Security Council resolution, if there is not full compliance with the current resolution in 30 days; 
• Bolster the fragile peace process in southern Sudan by mobilizing international pressure to bear on all parties to complete negotiations, sign a comprehensive agreement, and end current violations of existing agreements that continue to threaten the security of civilians in parts of southern Sudan, such as Shilluk Kingdom; 
• Engage in active, high level diplomacy by the Prime Minister and relevant cabinet ministers, as well as through the designated peace envoy, Senator Mobina Jaffer; and
• Allocate extra funds for humanitarian assistance in Darfur, in addition to the resources designated for support of the peace process. 

WV is responding to the humanitarian needs of those who have been displaced within Darfur, Sudan, as well as the refugees in Chad. To date WV has supplied $450,000 to provide assistance to over 350,000 people.

World Vision is an international Christian relief and development organization active in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.