Nepali peacekeepers in the UN missions recently made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Haiti cholera outbreak to kickbacks in the procurement of substandard APCs for the Darfur mission tainted the image of Nepali police and soldiers who have served in peacekeeping operations abroad.

The Haiti cholera epidemic in October 2010 killed nearly 6,200 people and a whole genome test last month traced the cholera bacillus to Nepal. However, the Nepal Army says the incident will not affect future UN deployment.

"There was a protracted campaign to smear our image, but the Nepal Army will remain an important contributor to peacekeeping missions around the world," says NA spokesperson Ramindra Chettri.

Then in June, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) ordered 34 police officers to appear in court to face charges of pocketing kickbacks on the procurement of more than 300 million rupees worth armoured vehicles for the UN's Darfur operation. The court is yet to give its verdict, but there is widespread suspicion that higher-up politicians profited from the deal.

Over the past 50 years, Nepal has contributed 85,000 peacekeepers to 37 peacekeeping missions worldwide. Nepal is in fact the world's fifth largest contributor to UN peacekeeping force. UN has around 110,000 peacekeepers from 120 countries, deployed in conflict zones.

Nepal Army alone has 3,550 soldiers serving in 11 different missions in African and the Middle East, while Nepal Police has 476 personnel, mostly working in African countries (See box). "Nepali peacekeepers have earned a reputation for professional competence, non-complaining and friendly attitude," says Binod Singh, the spokesperson of Nepal Police.

Nepal Army peacekeeping missions

Lebanon

Iraq

East Timor

Congo

Liberia

Haiti

Darfur Sudan

Sudan

Ivory Coast

Israel

Morocco

UNHQ, NY America

Tampa, Florida

Nepali troops as well as police have remained in high demand for peacekeeping missions around the world, particularly ones that require working under hazardous conditions. A case in point is the recent request from New York for Nepal Army deployment in Iraq. A group of 170 army personnel has already been trained for the operation under the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and will fly out to Iraq in two weeks. This is the second time the army is sending peacekeepers to Iraq after 1990.

Nepali soldiers have been praised as ideal peacekeepers for their legendary fighting skills, toughness ingrained from the rugged terrain back home, discipline and dedication through rigorous training blended with an easy-going attitude and honesty. Especially on tricky missions like UNIFIL on the Golan heights, Nepalis have stood out for their impartiality and courage.

Nepal Police peacekeeping missions

Haiti

South Sudan

Darfur Sudan

Liberia

East Timor

Peacekeeping missions also provide an opportunity for both individual soldiers and the Nepal Army and Police to earn substantial incomes. At present, the daily allowance for Police peacekeepers is around $150. Police personnel have to manage their accommodation from this allowance, whereas soldiers live in their own barracks.

Police peacekeepers contribute up to 14 per cent and NA personnel contribute up to 22 per cent of their allowance for the respective welfare fund.

Read also:
"Brink of the unknown", CARL BILDT

See also:
Home they brought her peacekeeper dead, SALIL SUBEDI
The Nepali army and police benefit from UN peacekeeping roles around the world, but things can turn nasty when there is no peace to keep

Peacekeeping away from home, NARESH NEWAR
Can Nepal afford to keep peace elsewhere when there is no peace at home?