SRSG Ellen Margrethe Løjcomforts UNMIL staff, Teamur Melles, whose husband Fred Wooldridge died in the Haiti Earthquake - [Photo- E.Tobey-UNMIL]

Monrovia, Liberia – With a wreath-laying ceremony and observance of a minute of silence, UN Envoy Ellen Margrethe Løj led peacekeepers and members of the UN family in Liberia in a solemn memorial service held at its Headquarters in remembrance of the victims and survivors of last week’s earthquake in Haiti. The service took place alongside other similar services and commemorations that began last night in UN offices throughout the world.

In her remarks, Ms. Løj said many of us have lost dear friends, colleagues and loved ones to this incomprehensible disaster in a country that has suffered so much, she said and added, “Today we remember all the UN staff lost and still missing in this tragedy.” The earthquake was the United Nations’ single biggest loss in the history of the organization.

Bemoaning the loss of staff of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH in French) “who were dedicated to ensuring peace and stability in Haiti,” Envoy Løj paid a special tribute to four victims whose contributions touched many lives here in Liberia.  She said, “Hédi Annabi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, ‘a true citizen of the world’ to quote the Secretary-General, was a true icon of UN peacekeeping and one of its most dedicated and committed sons.  He was a mild man with the heart of a lion.  His death is a big loss to the United Nations and to Haiti itself.”
She recalled Luiz Carlos da Costa, Annabi’s Deputy in Haiti, who served in Liberia prior to Haiti and who is remembered by UNMIL staff as “a brilliant colleague and boss, but also as a true friend.” He was commemorated by the Secretary-General as “a peacekeeping legend, with extraordinary professionalism and dedication only matched by his charisma and warmth, and his devotion to his many friends,” she noted.

Ms. Løj paid tribute to Fred Wooldridge, who was among the first to join UNMIL in 2003 when he worked with former SRSG Jacques Klein.  “Fred leaves behind our colleague, Teamar, his beloved wife, whom he met and fell in love with whilst serving in Liberia,” she said. She described Mr. Wooldridge as “a true gentleman, with a warm and sensitive nature, who was dedicated to his friends and family,” and added, “we mourn his loss, and extend our deepest condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues.”

Jerome Yap, Mr. da Costa’s Personal Assistant, was next on the special tribute. She reminded the gathering of his sense of humor and infectious love of life and noted that he complemented Mr. da Costa and was equally committed to his job and the United Nations.  She similarly extended the Mission’s condolence to Jerome’s family and friends.

She expressed her gratitude to UN staff who have volunteered to help “relieve the disaster in Haiti and support our fallen colleagues,” and said, “The United Nations is proud of and grateful for your support, dedication and solidarity.”