UN officials decry unprecedented killings of aid workers; peacekeeper killed in Central African Republic

United Nations officials told Security Council members and reporters that humanitarian and UN personnel have been killed in unprecedented numbers and urged member states to act to protect aid workers.

The deputy emergency relief coordinator, Joyce Msuya, briefed council members that “humanitarian workers are being killed in unprecedented numbers,” and stressed that most of those killed are local aid workers who are central to relief efforts. She called on council members to ensure respect for international law, to use their voices consistently to condemn attacks on humanitarian personnel, and to seek accountability.

Gilles Michaud, head of the UN Department of Safety and Security, reiterated that translation of words into protective actions has been limited and urged members to convert support into concrete measures. The spokesperson repeated these calls and reported a field update from the Central African Republic: a Kenyan military observer, identified as Major Paul Ndugu Nizrugi, was killed on Friday while serving with the UN. The mission deployed a team to investigate and reinforced patrol routes in the area, the briefing said.

The UN asked member states to take three steps: act to ensure respect for international law; be loud, clear and consistent in condemning attacks against UN and humanitarian personnel, including local staff; and request accountability for such incidents. Officials said local partners and missions are conducting on-site investigations and adjusting security measures where possible.