27 June 2010 - UNAMID’s Nepalese Special Forces today concluded their first extended long range patrol, which began on 19 June and travelled through North and West Darfur. The convoy was accompanied by the Mission’s tactical helicopters and was joined by Force Commander Lt. Gen Patrick Nyamvumba on 25 June.

The convoy began in El Fasher, North Darfur, and passed through Kutum, Kulbus, El Geneina, Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra, covering a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers.  During the journey, the convoy met with UNAMID military personnel deployed in the field and were briefed on the operational and security situation in their various areas of responsibility.

Lt. Gen Nyamvumba emphasized the importance of such exercises in helping to address the security situation, familiarize troops with the terrain and further enhance situational awareness. 

UNAMID’s Special Reserve Forces are troops highly trained in responding to emergency situations in the Mission area. There are currently two Special Reserve companies deployed in North and South Darfur from Nepal and Bangladesh. A third from Nigeria is expected to deploy in West Darfur by August of this year.