61 UN staff members killed in 2014, Gaza deadliest place for UN

Middle East, News, US January 14, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

At least 61 people working for the United Nations were killed in 2014 — up from 58 in 2013 and 37 in 2012 — the UN Staff Union said Tuesday, fingering Gaza as the deadliest locale for civilian workers.

The 2014 victims included 33 peacekeepers, 16 civilians, nine contractors and three consultants, the UN Staff Union said on Tuesday. fingering Gaza as the deadliest locale for civilian workers

The deadliest place for UN staff last year was Mali, where 28 peacekeepers were killed in the restive north between June and October 2014. For civilian staff, Gaza was the deadliest location, with 11 killed during the Israeli war on the Palestinian territory last summer.

An Israeli air strike hit a crowded U.N. school used as shelter for refugees in the northern Gaza Strip, killing at least 15 on July 30, 2014. Photo by Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

A large number of UN personnel and associated staff were also arrested, taken hostage and abducted during 2014, the Staff Union said.

Last week, Staff Union President Ian Richards called on the General Assembly to do more to protect UN personnel, who face growing threats across the globe.

MSM/HJL