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UN Peacekeeper from Bethany is
Missing after Haiti Earthquake
Missing after Haiti Earthquake
Jan. 24th [UNA-OKC] -- Members and friends of the
Oklahoma City chapter of the UN Association are hoping
and praying for the safe return of a Bethany man who is
missing in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck
Port-Au-Prince on Jan. 12.
Bhojraj Luchmun, a 45-year-old field security agent, is one of over 300
UN staffers who are still missing following the collapse of the main
headquarters of the UN mission in Haiti. A native of Mauritius, Mr.
Luchmun and his family have lived in Bethany since 2008. His wife,
Stenie, is a student at Southern Nazarene University.
The 7.0-magnitude quake is the worst disaster in the UN's history in
terms of loss of life of staff members, according to a report from AFP.
Upon learning that Mr. Luchmun is among the missing in Haiti, Robert
Cox (chapter president) commented, "Let us hope for his safe return."
Other chapter members concurred. Joan Korenblit (board member)
wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are with this UN Peacekeeper and his
family."
A website established by the UN Department of Peacekeeping
Operations reports that over 300 UN staffers were missing (as of 1-21-
10), including 278 Haitian nationals, 15 internationals, 7 military, and 9
police.
Prior to the earthquake, nearly 11,000 people worked for the UN
mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). They provided security assistance to the
Haitian government as
well as providing many
other vital services for
the people of Haiti.
In addition to helping to
secure a stable political
environment, MINUSTAH
has a mandate from the
UN Security Council to:
<> Restructure and
reform the Haitian
National Police;
<> Assist with the rule of law, public safety and public order in Haiti;
<> Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;
<> Assist in efforts to organize, monitor, and carry out free and fair
elections;
<> Support Haitian human rights groups in their efforts to promote and
protect human rights, particularly of women and children;
<> Monitor and report on the human rights situation, in cooperation
with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, including on the situation of returned refugees and displaced
persons.
The earthquake in Haiti took the lives of dozens of UN staffers,
including the head of MINUSTAH, Mr. Hedi Anabi. Mr. Anabi, a native of
Tunisia, was lauded by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a “true
citizen of the world” and a “mild man with the heart of a lion.”
Stenie Luchmun describes her husband as a man of faith who is proud
of his professional work, including over 20 years of experience in the
military and police force of Mauritius.
"He is a devoted family man who
rises early each morning to say
prayers," Mrs. Luchmun said.
She keeps a photograph of Mr.
Luchmun, known to many as
"Sudesh," depicting her husband
standing on the sidelines of a
soccer field in Bethany.
As the search and recovery effort continues in Haiti, Mrs. Luchmun and
her two children wait for news.
Our chapter joins in this vigil.
Oklahoma City chapter of the UN Association are hoping
and praying for the safe return of a Bethany man who is
missing in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck
Port-Au-Prince on Jan. 12.
Bhojraj Luchmun, a 45-year-old field security agent, is one of over 300
UN staffers who are still missing following the collapse of the main
headquarters of the UN mission in Haiti. A native of Mauritius, Mr.
Luchmun and his family have lived in Bethany since 2008. His wife,
Stenie, is a student at Southern Nazarene University.
The 7.0-magnitude quake is the worst disaster in the UN's history in
terms of loss of life of staff members, according to a report from AFP.
Upon learning that Mr. Luchmun is among the missing in Haiti, Robert
Cox (chapter president) commented, "Let us hope for his safe return."
Other chapter members concurred. Joan Korenblit (board member)
wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are with this UN Peacekeeper and his
family."
A website established by the UN Department of Peacekeeping
Operations reports that over 300 UN staffers were missing (as of 1-21-
10), including 278 Haitian nationals, 15 internationals, 7 military, and 9
police.
Prior to the earthquake, nearly 11,000 people worked for the UN
mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). They provided security assistance to the
Haitian government as
well as providing many
other vital services for
the people of Haiti.
In addition to helping to
secure a stable political
environment, MINUSTAH
has a mandate from the
UN Security Council to:
<> Restructure and
reform the Haitian
National Police;
<> Assist with the rule of law, public safety and public order in Haiti;
<> Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;
<> Assist in efforts to organize, monitor, and carry out free and fair
elections;
<> Support Haitian human rights groups in their efforts to promote and
protect human rights, particularly of women and children;
<> Monitor and report on the human rights situation, in cooperation
with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, including on the situation of returned refugees and displaced
persons.
The earthquake in Haiti took the lives of dozens of UN staffers,
including the head of MINUSTAH, Mr. Hedi Anabi. Mr. Anabi, a native of
Tunisia, was lauded by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a “true
citizen of the world” and a “mild man with the heart of a lion.”
Stenie Luchmun describes her husband as a man of faith who is proud
of his professional work, including over 20 years of experience in the
military and police force of Mauritius.
"He is a devoted family man who
rises early each morning to say
prayers," Mrs. Luchmun said.
She keeps a photograph of Mr.
Luchmun, known to many as
"Sudesh," depicting her husband
standing on the sidelines of a
soccer field in Bethany.
As the search and recovery effort continues in Haiti, Mrs. Luchmun and
her two children wait for news.
Our chapter joins in this vigil.
MINUSTAH headquarters in Port-Au-Prince following
the terrible earthquake of January 12th. Getty Images.
the terrible earthquake of January 12th. Getty Images.
