Social workers to operate alongside the Army

Tuesday, 09 February 2010

LONDON (AP) — Britain's Gordon Brown says a new 1,000-strong pool of civilian specialists will provide expert help to failing states and countries that have suffered conflict or natural disasters.

Brown said Tuesday that Britain's civilian stabilization group is now established — almost two years after he first announced plans to create the group.

Members include economists, governance experts, lawyers and police trainers. They will work alongside military and humanitarian experts.

Brown says the new force will be able to deploy in 24 hours, and bolster work in places including Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan.

He confirmed civilian experts are traveling to Haiti to help rebuild prisons and assist the World Bank in identifying priority projects.