UN flags were lowered to half-staff following the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10, 2019, which claimed the lives of 21 United Nations staff members, according to a report by AFP.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres led a moment of silence at the Commission on the Status of Women, stating, "A global tragedy has hit close to home - and the United Nations is united in grief." The incident occurred when Flight ET302 crashed shortly after departing Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew aboard.
UN ambassadors observed a silent tribute during a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, while representatives from the World Food Programme, UNHCR, International Organization for Migration, and UN Environment confirmed staff losses in the disaster. Many victims were en route to a UN environment conference in Nairobi.
