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In Memoriam -
In remembrance of those members of the UN Family who lost their lives
in the earthquake in Haiti, 12 January 2010

Corporal Raed Faraq Alkhawaldeh, 1979 - 2010

(Jordan)

Raed Faraq Alkhawaldeh

Corporal Raed Faraj Alkhawaldeh, a national of Jordan, served with the Jordanian Armed Forces and was deployed to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in January 2009.

Raed was from Marsa’a in Jordan and attended school in nearby Jarash. After high school, he began working and helped to support his family after his mother died.He enlisted in the military in 2004 and was promoted to Corporal in 2008.

According to his father, Raed had spoken “about the possibility of dying in the line of duty.”

“Raed told me once that the peaceful life we’re living in Jordan, like many other countries, would never have been possible without the sacrifices of those willing to guard the peace,” he said.

He added that his son “believed in what he did and was always ready to serve for the sake of peace.”

A ceremony was held on 19 January in Amman at Queen Alia International Airport to receive the bodies of Raed and his fallen colleagues. It was attended by His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Her Majesty Queen Rania, His Royal Highness Prince Feisal, senior officers, government officials and families of the fallen officers.

King Abdullah praised his officers, saying that they performed their duties and represented their country honourably. Queen Rania called it “a sombre day” and said the peacekeepers were “courageous.”

Raed was buried in Marsa’a on 20 January.

He is survived by his father Faraj, three sisters and six brothers.