The United Nations on Thursday held a solemn tribute at its headquarters in New York to honour 168 staff members who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2024 — the highest death toll in the organization’s history for a single year.
Among the fallen, 126 were UN personnel killed in Gaza, nearly all of whom served with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), marking an unprecedented loss amid ongoing conflict.
Speaking ahead of the memorial service, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reflected on the bravery and humanity of the fallen staff, describing them as “extraordinary individuals” driven by a deep commitment to peace, compassion, and dignity for all.
“They were not just names on a list,” Guterres said. “They were people who chose service over safety, hope over fear. Their stories are filled with courage and sacrifice.”
He acknowledged the particularly devastating toll on humanitarian workers in Gaza, where over one in every 50 UNRWA staff members were killed in 2024. “This is the highest staff death toll in United Nations history,” he noted. “Some were killed delivering life-saving aid, others with their families, and some while shielding the vulnerable.”
The secretary-general called on the world to honor their memory not only with mourning, but with action: “We will not grow numb to suffering. We will not accept the killing of UN personnel, of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers, or civilians as the new normal.”
The memorial service — held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and streamed globally — included the presence of bereaved families, UN staff, and senior officials. Since 2011, the UN has annually honoured colleagues who paid the ultimate price while serving humanity.
The 168 fallen worked across agencies including the UN Secretariat, UNHCR, UNOPS, WFP, and UNRWA. They came from 31 countries and served in roles ranging from teachers and doctors to engineers and peacekeepers.
Guterres emphasized that working for the UN is more than a job — “it is a calling,” he said. “They represented humanity in action.”
Narda Cupidore, President of the UN Staff Union in New York, echoed his sentiments and called for better protection for those who serve under the UN flag.
“Let this be more than a moment of silence,” she said. “Let it be a call to action — a call to protect those who serve, and to ensure they do so with full support and respect.”
The legacy of the fallen, both leaders affirmed, lives on in the continued work and ideals of the UN: a belief that the world is still worth fighting for.
