U.N. Peacekeepers are referred to as Blue Helmets or Blue Berets because of the light blue helmets/berets they wear on missions. As of January 2013, India has contributed 7,840 military/police personnel to peacekeeping missions. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (29 May) is “a day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in U.N. peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace”.
The United Nations Office of Military Affairs seeks highly qualified military officers from UN Member States for service in our peace missions around the world, either as individual Staff Officers, as Military Observers, or as part of a formed unit from an individual Troop-Contributing Country. Staff Officers are also valued at UN Headquarters from where they support all aspects related to the deployment of troops on the ground. By the end of 2019, 4.7 per cent of UN military personnel in contingents were women. A top priority for UN Peacekeeping is to increase the number of female military personnel in peacekeeping operations, including increasing women staff officers and military observers to 25 per cent by 2028; currently 16.7 per cent of staff officers and military observers in peacekeeping operations are female.
Blue Helmets as members of their own national armies are seconded to work with the UN for periods normally of up to one year in the field, or two or three years at UN headquarters. Any queries about working for the UN in a military capacity should be addressed within an applicant’s own country first
The most common sort of UN peacekeeper is the infantry soldier. However, increasingly we need specialized personnel who we refer to as ‘enablers’. These skilled soldiers include engineers, who for example were able to help with the post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti, or the building of new roads in South Sudan. We also need helicopters and their crews, as they enable us to extend our area of influence and be much more visible. Other specialist enablers include transport companies, communicators and medical personnel.
Modern peacekeeping operations are often very complex, and place high demands on the personnel we deploy. High levels of training are required before deployment, and the UN works closely with Troop-Contributing Countries to provide the best help and advice possible. Troops must know what to do if they find themselves in an ambush, for example, and must be capable of responding appropriately.
Credit : United Nations Peacemaking
Picture Credit : Google
