Guterres Says 336 UN Employees Lost Their Lives On Duty In 2020

The United Nations has seen 336 personnel losing their lives in the line of duty in 2020, constituting the highest number of fatalities among the organization's employees in a single year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at an annual memorial service held on Thursday

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th May, 2021) The United Nations has seen 336 personnel losing their lives in the line of duty in 2020, constituting the highest number of fatalities among the organization's employees in a single year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at an annual memorial service held on Thursday.

"In view of the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary impact, this memorial service also honors all colleagues who passed from illness in 2020," Guterres said.

"As a result, this year's memorial service pays tribute to the highest number of colleagues lost in a single year.

We honor 336 UN personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and due to the COVID-19 and related circumstances between January 1 and December 31, 2020," he said.

Guterres explained this year's ceremony recognized UN personnel from 82 nations who died from the novel coronavirus and those whose illness may not have been recorded as COVID-19, but might still be related to it.

The UN chief said the ceremony also honored those UN employees who passed in 2020 due to reduced access to healthcare amid the pandemic.