30 May 2010 -- To honor those who have fallen and those who continue to serve in the cause of peace, UNAMID took part today in marking the eighth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at its headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The programme, which opened with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony and the lowering of the flags of the African Union and the United Nations, included events throughout the morning and afternoon. Among them being local children's choirs, cultural activities, a photo and substantive sections exhibition, and parades.

The event was presided over by the Chief of the Mission, Joint Special Representative (JSR) Professor Ibrahim Gambari, in the presence of Deputy JSR Mohamed B. Yonis, UNAMID senior officials, as well as representatives from UN agencies, and the media.

UNAMID, tasked with helping to bring peace to Darfur, has lost 24 peacekeepers to hostile action since beginning operations in January 2008. At present, the Mission has a deployment strength of more than 26,000 peacekeepers, representing more than 125 countries.

The United Nations peacekeeping day was established by the General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran - Unamid