The UN family in Lebanon gathered today in a dignified and moving ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of the Haiti earthquake that struck the island last week.
The ceremony was attended by UN officials, representatives of the top three Lebanese leaders, ambassadors, the diplomatic corps in Lebanon and staff, who observed a minute of silence to show solidarity with all the victims of the tragedy.
The sadness of the loss was echoed by a musical tribute, which played tunes by Bach and Albinoni.
ESCWA Executive Secretary Bader AlDafa, for his part, said that working with love and in good faith was the motto for Hadi Annabi, Luis Carlos Da Costa, Doug Cuates and other colleagues who perished in Haiti.
"They gave their lives for peace, they worked their best in service of humanity. The noblest of sentiments is when a man sees himself in the service of peoples of the world, feeling their distress and determined to alleviate and end their suffering," Aldafa said.
"This is the mission of the United Nations. This was ultimate goal of our colleagues who passed away in Haiti. They lived with courage and died courageously. What they have done gives the United Nations hope for a better world in front of any arising challenges or difficulties. The disaster that hit Haiti and hit us all with the loss of our colleagues is a sign of how much life is fragile. It is, nevertheless, a testimony to the strength and determination of the human being. This disaster has been faced with utmost determination," he added.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said in the memorial, "Not in war, but in a tragic natural disaster the UN has suffered its single largest calamity." "Our own suffering – the loss of family, friends, dear colleagues – is overshadowed by the tragedy that ordinary Haitians are witnessing…" he added.
Williams went on to say that Hedi Annabi, Luis Carlos da Costa and many of our colleagues who perished on that fateful day in Haiti last week understood that very well and believed in it. They believed in a UN that is trying to make a positive difference in people's lives, every day, they believed that sacrifices become worthwhile when they help improve the daily existence of others even if on the other side of the planet.
Also speaking at the ceremony was UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander Brigadier-General Apurba Kumar Bardalai who said that the death of so many colleagues in Haiti has thus been a very personal loss for many of "us", as also a professional loss for the UN and the international community at large.
"Being just a short flight away from New York, MINUSTAH was one of the most sought after duty stations for UN peacekeeping staff," Bardalai said.
"UNIFIL, as a mark of respect to our befallen peacekeepers in Haiti, is determined to make every effort towards achievement of peace and stability in southern Lebanon," he said.
Participants in the ceremony then inscribed words of sympathy on a book of condolences.
