The loss of 157 lives following the Ethiopian Airlines crash, which included 21 UN staff has brought great sadness to the UN family.

These staff were en route to the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya when the incident happened on Sunday.

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Dr. Satyendra Prasad shared at the UN, Fiji’s grief and condolences with the UN and Ambassadors of the countries whose nationals lost their lives on Flight ET302.

Prasad stated the loss of staffers who dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others, will be felt strongly across the UN system and most especially by those with whom they had worked closely.

In honor of the victims, the United Nations flag at the UN Headquarters in New York is flying half-mast.