The “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers” took place on Wednesday, May 29. This was established in 2002 on the initiative of the United Nations General Assembly and is dedicated to all participants in peacekeeping operations. People who have lost their lives in the service of UN peacekeeping are also commemorated on this day.
“Over the past 60 years, more than 100,000 soldiers and civilian aid workers have made a significant contribution to world peace in over 100 international peace and humanitarian missions. Austria supports and ensures stability in crisis areas. I would like to thank all soldiers and civilian helpers who actively contribute to world peace in very difficult situations, often at the risk of their lives. They are the ones who carry Austria’s reputation as a reliable peacemaker to countries affected by disasters, war or destruction,” explained Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Austrian Armed Forces on UN mission
Austria first took part in a UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo in 1960 (-> current reports from the Austrian Armed Forces missions abroad). In December of that year, Austria sent a medical contingent to the Congo, which was briefly captured after its arrival. Between 1961 and 1963, further contingents were active in the Congo, operating hospitals for UN troops and the civilian population.
Austrian Armed Forces in Lebanon
Since November 2011, the Austrian Armed Forces has also been participating in the UNIFIL mission of the United Nations in Lebanon. Around 11,800 soldiers and 1,000 UN civilian employees from 40 nations are taking part in this “United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon” mission. The peacekeeping forces are headquartered in Camp Naqoura in the southwest of the country. With more than a hundred vehicles (including off-road vehicles, articulated lorries, buses, recovery, fire-fighting and tanker vehicles), the Austrian Armed Forces soldiers are helping to calm the situation in Lebanon and ensure the safety of the population through their presence.
Commemoration
On this day, the United Nations honors more than one million men and women who have served as United Nations peacekeepers since 1948, as well as those who have died in the line of duty. Since the beginning of UN peacekeeping missions, a total of over 4,000 soldiers and civilian staff have lost their lives.
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