Page 35 - Bulletin, Vol.82 No.3, December 2023

UN HONOURS 101 STAFF KILLED IN GAZA CONFLICT

13 NOVEMBER 2023

From the hustle and bustle of New York City to the edge of the Karura Forest in Kenya’s
capital, Nairobi, offices across the global UN system paid tribute on Monday to the 101
staff killed so far during the war raging in Gaza – the largest loss during a conflict in the
Organization’s 78-year history.

The fallen colleagues worked for the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees,
UNRWA (opens in new window), providing life-saving aid to Gaza’s 2.2 million people,
amid constant bombardment over the past month and a complete siege of the enclave.

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They were school principals, teachers, health workers, including a gynaecologist,
engineers, support staff and a psychologist.

“UNRWA staff in Gaza appreciate the UN lowering the flag around the world. In Gaza
however, we have to keep the UN flag flying high as a sign that we are still standing and
serving the people of Gaza,” said Tom White (opens in new window)Tom White, the
agency’s Director in the Gaza Strip, speaking from Rafah.

Minute of silence

UN officials and staff at duty stations worldwide observed a minute of silence
in memory of their deceased colleagues, while the UN flag was flown at half-mast.

Speaking in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the UN Office in the Swiss
city said their deaths represented the highest number of aid workers killed in UN history
in such a short time.

AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 82 No.3, 2023-12 33

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