Date published: 15 June 2007

Australia has a critical role to play in the international effort to halt the tragic bloodshed in Darfur and should offer troops as part of the breakthrough deal allowing UN peacekeepers into the troubled region, World Vision chief executive Tim Costello said.

"It is acknowledged that Australia's defence forces are stretched but arguably there is no greater humanitarian crisis on the planet today than the killing in Darfur," Mr Costello said.

"We must do all we can do to halt the killing. I have been there and witnessed firsthand the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded since 2004."

Mr Costello said after years of killings and international inaction the breakthrough deal in which the government of Sudan has agreed to a joint 19,000-troop, African Union / United Nation's peacekeeping force presents an opportunity that cannot be squandered.

"I note the Prime Minister has said there has been no decision yet on the UN request for troops and given this government's commitment not to turn its back on the tragedy, I am sure Australia will send forces as part of this mission," Mr Costello said.

Mr Costello visited Darfur two years ago and witnessed first hand the fear and suffering being experienced by the millions of people displaced in terrible conditions. About 200,000 people are believed to have died in the conflict.