UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
From the beginning of the current crisis UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col instructed to divert the use of funds from some projects to provide support to the local communities in the common fight against COVID-19 corona virus. Recently such help, comprising masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, other personal protective equipment, and chlorine solution, was given to Marjayoun Caza municipality and Lebanese state institutions operating in the area. Similar donations have been presented to other communities in the South as part of UNIFIL’s broader efforts to assist the local population.
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194 - Salam from the South - United Against the Virus (in English) | 15 Apr 2020
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193 - Salam from the South - SG Appeal for Peace (in English) | 06 Apr 2020
The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. Echoing the call of the UN chief for global ceasefire in the midst of COVID19 pandemic and in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL has reiterated its call for Lebanon and Israel to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict.
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192 - Salam from the South - UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander interview (in English) | 25 Mar 2020
In the face of global COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col says business-as-usual cannot be the norm of the day and the unprecedented situation warrants exceptional measures.
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191 - Salam from the South - UNIFIL turns 42 (in English) | 19 Mar 2020
The mere presence of over 11,000 peacekeepers – including the Mission’s both military and civilian peacekeepers – and thousands of the Lebanese Armed Forces officers and soldiers, deployed in south Lebanon under the Security Council Resolution 1701, has enhanced the safety in the area, giving the local people an opportunity to live a normal life. It’s not a small feat – especially in an area beset by cycles of conflicts until 2006. In our story we will try to sum up what has been achieved during the last 42 years since 19th of March 1978 when UNIFIL was established.
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190- Salam from the South - Indian vet (in English) | 10 Mar 2020
UNIFIL attaches great importance to its relations with the population it serves. There are several facets to this relationship: from informing the people of south Lebanon about UNIFIL’s mandate and activities to providing or facilitating humanitarian assistance to the extent possible. UNIFIL radio recently joined Indian peacekeepers as they set out to offer veterinary assistance to local farmers in south-eastern Lebanon. More details about their tasks in the following episode.
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189- Salam from the South - Assistance with capacity building (in English) | 04 Mar 2020
Providing assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces in building their capacity lies at the core of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Following the letter and spirit of the document, UNIFIL peacekeepers from Italy, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia recently offered a 5-day long training to around 70 Lebanese Army personnel.
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188- Salam from the South - Snow Patrol (in English) | 28 Feb 2020
Patrolling is an integral part of UNIFIL’s daily operational tempo aimed at ensuring peace and stability in South Lebanon. There are different types of patrols the peacekeepers conduct: motorised patrols, foot patrols, as well as air and sea patrols. There is, however, less known type – so called “snow patrols” conducted in mountainous areas during wintertime. Recently UNIFIL Radio joined one of such patrols performed by Indian peacekeepers together with the Lebanese Armed forces in the remote Shab’a area.
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187- Salam from the South - A Finnish Martyr (in English) | 24 Feb 2020
Hussein Ramadan a farmer from Froun village in south Lebanon says that he owes it to a UNIFIL Finnish peacekeeper, Tom Kjällman, that he is still alive. It was in 1985 that an explosion thundered under the feet of the Lebanese farmer when he inadvertently entered a minefield. UNIFIL peacekeepers saved him then, although one rescuer, a young soldier from Finland, paid the ultimate price for his bravery.
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186- Salam from the South - Zeina Saleh (in English) | 17 Feb 2020
"Women in the minefield” is still a rare phenomenon world over. Zeina Saleh, from the United Nations Mine Action Service operating in south Lebanon, is among those few women undertaking a job that can be deadly. Recently Zeina, together with six other young women working for UNMAS around the world, was given the UN Secretary General Award after she became a qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator. With their commitment and courage, these women not only completed their training successfully, but also challenged obsolete gender norms.
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185- Salam from the South - Novice at Peacekeeping (in English) | 13 Feb 2020
For the first time in its history, since gaining independence in 1991, the Republic of Kazakhstan is taking part in a UN peace operation. On 31 October 2018, 120 Kazakh troops joined UNIFIL. They have been deployed in a south-eastern corner of Lebanon, close to Shab’a Farms, and formed a joint team with the UNIFIL Indian battalion. How does this scheme – dubbed also as an example of south-south cooperation – work? More details about their task in the following episode.
