"We've seen that an AU presence helps to reduce threats of violence in the limited areas where they are deployed. But the current AU mission needs more resources and personnel to do the job properly," said Caroline Nursey, Oxfam's regional director forthe Horn of Africa in a statement.

The AU's mission in Darfur region is understaffed, poorly financed and ill-equipped to cope with the scale of the crisis, Nursey said.

"A fully expanded AU mission in Darfur -- including additional troops, cease-fire monitors and civilian police -- must be deployed at once," she added.

Only half of the 3,320 personnel promised by the AU in October 2004 have arrived while their efforts have been hindered by shortages of funding and a lack of logistical support, Oxfam said.

"The international community must do whatever it takes to strengthen the ability of the AU mission," Nursey said.

The Darfur crisis flared up in Feb. 2003, and has led to thousands of deaths and displaced about one million people. Enditem