UNHCR Staff Memorial

UNHCR staff tomorrow (Wednesday, 26 September) will commemorate our colleagues who have sacrificed their lives while serving the cause of refugees.

The daylong observance comes a little over a year since the slayings last September of four UNHCR staff within two weeks - the darkest period in our 50-year history.

At 9 a.m. tomorrow, a candle will be lit by High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers and UNHCR Staff Council members near the Broken Chair monument at the Place des Nations. The candle will remain lit until 5 p.m. During the day, UNHCR colleagues, staff of other international organisations and the public are encouraged to lay a flower at the site in remembrance of our slain colleagues. Flowers can be collected from UNHCR.

UNHCR is also planning construction of a memorial in front of our Headquarters building, to be built with contributions from staff and friends of UNHCR.