KATHMANDU: Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj, yesterday awarded UN peacekeeping medals to 255 Nepali peacekeepers (240 members of Formed Police Units and 15 military police officers) for their contributions to peace and stability in Liberia.

Recognising the long commitment of the Nepali government to peacekeeping operations, in general and to Liberia in particular, Løj noted the times Nepali peacekeepers have served in Liberia — during the UN Observer Mission in 1996, and now in UNMIL since 2003, according to a press statement received from the United Nations Nepal office.

“You have travelled thousands of kilometres and made personal and professional sacrifices so that Liberians can live in peace, security and freedom,” the release quoted Løj as saying to Nepali peacekeepers.

During her remarks at the ceremony, Løj urged Nepali peacekeepers, serving the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), to be exemplary in their conduct.

Quoting from a Nepali teaching which says, “Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back and chose the path that leads to wisdom”, she urged them to choose the path of good conduct and lead by example. She reiterated that all peacekeepers must, personally and strictly, observe the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance against sexual exploitation.

The UN Envoy recounted the contributions of the Nepali peacekeepers to the Liberia National Police, which have contributed to reducing incidents of violent crimes in the country. She commended them for their unique sense of compassion and respect for diversity.

“I am immensely proud that you have brought your unique traditions to peacekeeping in Liberia and conducted yourselves with compassion and respect for diversity. We deeply value this approach,” Løj said. She assured them that the difficult situation under which they perform their duties was well appreciated by the UN.

Løj praised the outreach activities of the Nepali contingent in training youth in the various communities in cooking and vehicle mechanics; as well as training the Monrovia Central Prison inmates in vegetable farming, which has not only helped to improve their nutritional status, but also equipped them with necessary skills.

Nepal is the fifth largest troop contributing country worldwide. Over 76,000 of its peacekeepers have served in various peace missions since 1958.Currently, over 3,900 are deployed in eleven missions around the world.