Ask your United States Representative to co-sponsor H.Res.213, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the creation of a United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS) could save millions of lives, billions of dollars, and is in the interest of the United States.

What is UNEPS?

A United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS) is a permanent emergency response service designed to complement, not replace, existing peace and humanitarian operations. It would comprise of 15,000 or more police, military and judicial experts, engineers, and relief professionals who would be sent to areas in need of immediate attention, like Darfur, Sudan. UNEPS would provide immediate, short-term assistance while countries iron out the long-term details.

Why is this important?

When disasters like genocide and tsunamis strike, the first few days and the weeks that immediately follow are almost always the most devastating. Right now, it takes the U.N. at least a month -- sometimes well over three months in more complicated situations -- to get countries to send help.

People in need shouldn’t have to wait while countries go back and forth over the details of relief missions. If we could act more quickly, we could save many lives.

Citizens for Global Solutions believes the United States should take the lead in helping this service get off the ground and quickly save lives. This is why we are asking you to contact your U.S. Representative.

Tell me how to take action

Please call the office of your United States Representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor the UNEPS resolution. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below on the best way to contact and conduct your call. Your call could make the difference in millions of lives and billions of dollars.

1. Look up contact info for the office of your U.S. Representative. The best way to do this is to do this is to visit http://www.house.gov/.

2. Review the script below. Feel free to read the script duirng your call, or come up with your own script.

3. Call the office of your U.S. Representative. Ask to speak with the Foreign Policy Advisor on staff. We've found it is better to speak or leave a message with this person rather than with whomever picks up the phone, as Foreign Policy Advisors are generally more informed on peacekeeping issues.

Thanks and good luck!

SUGGESTED SCRIPT FOR CALL TO YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE **Ask to speak with or leave a voicemail for your U.S. representative's Foreign Policy Advisor**  YOU: Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your hometown]. I’m calling because I want Representative [name] to co-sponsor House Resolution 213, which calls for the United States to support a United Nations Emergency Peace Service, or UNEPS. UNEPS would have first-in / first-out capabilities, designed to supplement the U.N.’s capacity to provide stability, peace, and relief in deadly emergencies. Do you know Representative [name]'s position on this issue? FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR: [Will either state your U.S. representative position's or will offer to pass along your message.] YOU: Thank you for your time. Please let Representative [name] know I will be keeping track of his/her stance on the issue. _____________________________________________ [If you are put through to voicemail, you can leave the following message:] YOU: Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your hometown]. I'm calling because I want Representative [name] to co-sponsor House Resolution 213, which calls for the United States to support a United Nations Emergency Peace Service, or UNEPS. UNEPS would have first-in / first-out capabilities, designed to supplement the U.N.'s capacity to provide stability, peace, and relief in deadly emergencies. Please let Representative [name] know I will be keeping track of his/her stance on this issue. Thank you.