UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations said Monday that 2017 saw the highest number of peacekeeper fatalities through violent acts in over two decades, with 56 peacekeepers killed.
"Peacekeeping is a risky activity. A certain number of casualties may occur even if all necessary preventive measures are taken. But since 2013, casualties have spiked. One hundred and ninety-five personnel in United Nations peacekeeping missions have been killed by acts of violence, more than during any other 5-year period in history," according to "Improving Security of United Nations Peacekeepers: We need to change the way we are doing business," a report directed by the UN secretary-general.
"These numbers go beyond a normal or acceptable level of risk, and they are likely to rise even higher. Something needs to change to reverse the trend," the report said.
Since 1948, more than 3,500 personnel have lost their lives serving in UN peace operations with 943 due to acts of violence. During the past four years (2013 - 2017) a consistent increase in peacekeeper fatalities due to violent acts resulted in 195 deaths, the report said.
In an effort to reverse this trend and improve the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, the secretary-general in November 2017 appointed Lieutenant General (retired) Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz of Brazil to carry out an in-depth review of peacekeeping fatalities and injuries due to hostile acts.
The report aims to identify why the UN has had so many casualties caused by acts of violence in recent years and what should be done to reduce these casualties.
In the course of the review, the team visited UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Mali and South Sudan, accessed relevant internal UN data and conducted 160 interviews to inform their work.
The report, which was submitted to the secretary-general, stated that with the influx of armed groups, extremists, organized crime, and other criminal elements and threats, the UN flag no longer offers "natural" protection to peacekeepers.
The Review Team identified four broad areas where the United Nations and Member States must take actions to reduce fatalities.
These include changing mindsets so that personnel are aware of the risks and empowered to take the initiative to deter, prevent, and respond to attacks; improving capacities so that the mission and personnel are equipped and trained to operate in high-threat environments; achieving a "threat sensitive mission footprint" that is aligned with mission mandates and limits the exposure of the mission to threat; and enhancing accountability to ensure that those able to take actions to prevent fatalities and injuries live up to their responsibilities.
Following the submission of the report, the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support have developed an Action Plan to implement its recommendations. The Action Plan focuses on three main areas: operational behavior and mindset; capacity building and readiness; and support issues.
