Meet the Central Africans laying down their weapons and making a stand for peace

“Protect, Help, Explain”: UN Peacekeeping responds to COVID-19

Female Peacekeepers add an extra dynamic to teams in the field, breaking barriers that allow women civilians to describe what’s really going on inside their communities.

More women in peacekeeping means more effective peacekeeping. The theme for this year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers: “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”, also marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. UN Peacekeepers are now facing one of their greatest challenges - supporting and protecting the people in the countries they are based in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women peacekeepers are on the front lines implementing mission mandates while contributing as an integral part of the COVID-19 response.

From sharing vital health information about COVID-19 to providing educational programmes during school closures, radio stations operated by United Nations peacekeeping missions are now offering vital services amid the pandemic. Radio Okapi, the station of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), has become the first media outlet to respond to a request from the Congolese Government to provide education via radio. Radio Miraya, the station of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), is helping the country’s awareness-raising campaign.

Despite the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on their activities, United Nations peacekeeping missions continue to carry out their mandates while also helping countries in their coronavirus response. UN missions are supporting national authorities in their response to COVID-19, through capacity-building, logistics, awareness-raising, and the distribution of medical equipment, among other initiatives. The missions are also using radio and social media to provide information and counter misinformation about the crisis.

The United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established the UN Security Council on 4 March, 1964, to help prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the Republic of Cyprus. After the hostilities of 1974, the Council has mandated the Force to perform certain additional functions. In the absence of a political settlement to the Cyprus problem, UNFICYP has remained on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, maintain a buffer zone, undertake humanitarian activities and support the good offices mission of the Secretary-General.

New York City spends far more on its fire, police and the prison system than the entire peacekeeping budget of the United Nations.

Like many prospective staff members, Lonjezo Hamisi envisioned serving at some point in his career in a region beset by war, injustice, poor governance and poverty, with the hope of easing the plight of the people most in need on the ground. He got his chance when he was posted to the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), where he served as Special Assistant to the Mission Chief of Staff.

Strengthening Protection: 20 Years of Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping

United Nations Police Week (4 – 8 November) at UN Headquarters in New York, is a time for all involved in policing to exchange experience and learn from each other. Every year, it brings together the heads of police components in UN Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions for discussions and briefings to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the Security Council. UN Police helps Member States in conflict, post-conflict and other crisis situations to build effective, efficient, representative, responsive and accountable police services that serve and protect the population.

Lasting Peace and Mine Action