UN honors 485 personnel, highest number died in service

In a remark at the Annual Memorial Service to honor UN personnel who died in service, Secretary-General António Guterres announced the loss of the highest number of UN personnel while they were on duty. 

According to the UN, 485 personnel lost their lives in the line of duty, which is considered the highest record in a single year. The number includes personnel from 104 nations, 70 of whom were military personnel, one a police officer, and 414 civilian workers.

Guterres emphasized that the late personnel dedicated their lives to serve the UN’s values: to prevail peace, secure food, shelter the displaced, protect the earth, and fight for a better future for humanity, the UN reported.  

It is worth mentioning that the UN military personnel, the Blue Helmets, consist of over 70,000 military personnel from global national armies. They aim at enhancing peace, stability, and security in cooperation with the local communities and security forces. The Blue Helmets come from various nations, bringing different cultures and united in their determination to foster peace. The UN has been deploying military personnel for service in peace operations since 1948, according to the UN. 

Guterres paid tribute to the personnel who left home and devoted their lives to help those in need amid Covid-19, which caused suffering and death worldwide. 

“Often far from home, without fanfare, they devoted their careers to help others. Unbowed by cynicism, they worked to make a difference – no matter how high the obstacle; no matter how distant the reward; no matter, even, how difficult the challenge,” the remarks read. 

The Secretary-General undertook the support of the UN for the families of those who lost their lives in service and to enhance the safety, care, and wellbeing of its staff. He affirmed that the memory of the UN personnel who died will always be cherished and never be forgotten, according to the UN.