UN marks Peacekeeping Day

The United Nations has run peacekeeping missions around the world for
more than 70 years.

But during that time more than 38-hundred blue helmet personnel have
been killed in action.

As the International Day of Peacekeeping approaches, the U.N. has once
again remembered those who have given their lives protecting the
world's most vulnerable in the name of peace.

Nick Harper reports from New York.
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Honoring the fallen.

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The United Nations secretary-general paid tribute to the peacekeepers.
It's the day that recognizes the value of peacekeeping, but also its
cost.
Here's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

SOT - Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary-General:
"More than one million men and women have served under the blue flag
of the United Nations. The vast majority have returned home to their
countries and their loved ones. Today, we honor the memory of those
who didn't."

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Of the 14 active peacekeeping missions, those in Mali, South Sudan and
the Central African Republic are among the deadliest the UN has ever
undertaken.

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There are more than 100,000 peacekeeping personnel deployed around the
world. This international day pays tribute to their service. But it
also remembers the 98 peacekeepers who have died in the line of duty
in the last year alone.

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They were awarded posthumous medals. The highest honor going to
Malawian soldier Chancy Chitete who died rescuing a fellow peacekeeper
in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Under‑Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre
Lacroix, presented the award.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under‑Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Operations: "Private Chitete's heroism and sacrifice is an important
reminder to what we owe to these men and women who put their lives on
the line everyday in the service of peace."

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Other peacekeepers were honored for their continued service. But
despite these sacrifices the UN peacekeeping budget is under continued
strain with bills not paid on time.
The UN ended 2018 with $2 billion dollars still owed by member states.
The Secretary-General has warned "frequent cash constraints" make the
work of protecting civilians and upholding peace a harder challenge.

I'm Nick Harper in New York.