The Good News of the Week: UN Forces combating Covid-19
In a camp for internally displaced persons in Zalingei in Central Darfur, UN troops are distributing water jerrycans, soap and sanitizers to the refugees. When Covid-19 became a common threat to peoples’ lives and health worldwide, the UN Peacekeeping missions across 13 countries changed – to fight in the war against the coronavirus. Water, soap, facemasks and sanitizers became their new weapons. In some of the worlds’ most dangerous countries, UN soldiers are now producing personal protective equipment, informing local populations about COVID-19 and preventions-measure, setting up preliminary hand-washing stations and building quarantine rooms.
"Contributing in a crisis is something that lies in our DNA,"
Lunde has served in international operations in many different countries over the years. “Today we are facing a very special situation. Both in Norway and internationally soldiers and veterans are doing their part in the fight against the coronavirus. Many of our veterans are medically trained and have experience from war and crisis, and it makes me proud to see that many enlist for service on the new front lines."
On Friday 29 May, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, Lunde took part in a ceremony at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, where a peace dove was released from the window of the Center. The dove was bringing “The good news of the week”, telling the story of how Peacekeepers are taking part in the fight against coronavirus.
Did you know that the UN Peacekeeping forces received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for “for preventing armed clashes and creating conditions for negotiations.”
Every Friday at noon, the Nobel Peace Center will release a peace dove together with “The good news of the week.”The dove is released from a window at the Nobel Peace Center, situated on the City Hall Square. As the dove crosses the square, the John Lennon song Give Peace a Chance will play from the bell towers.
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