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Peacekeepers From Uruguay

UN Peacekeepers

Serving for peace, sacrificing for humanity

Since 1948 more than two million people have served as in hotspots around the world, including more than 65,000 today.

They provide security, stability and hope for a better future to war-affected communities. And they often do so at great personal risk and under very harsh conditions, leaving their families behind thousands of hundreds of miles away from their homelands. More than have lost their lives serving under the UN flag.

The United Nations does not have its own military or police force. It relies on individual UN Member States to contribute personnel to its peacekeeping operations. Today, UN peacekeepers hail from more than 100 troop and police contributing countries, but they are united in their goal to help provide security and stability to some of the most vulnerable people on earth. Collectively, they perform acts of courage and compassion every day.

Beyond their regular mandated activities ¨C such as protecting civilians and supporting peace processes -- peacekeepers often carry out humanitarian efforts such as delivering free medical and veterinary care, providing access to water; supporting schools and orphanages; building roads and bridges and other key infrastructure which benefit communities and bring people together.

The United Nations honours the service and sacrifice of all peacekeepers and commends the contributions from all the countries that provide our peacekeeping operations with military and police personnel.

Their stories of service and sacrifice as well as courage and compassion are worth listening to.

Learn more about countries that contribute troops to UN Peacekeepers.

Spotlight

Italy Peacekeeper

Honouring peacekeepers from Uruguay

Uruguay is the 17th largest contributor of UN peacekeepers with nearly 900 -- including 53 women -- now serving.

Uruguay first deployed peacekeepers to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan in 1952 and it continues to contribute to that mission today.

Uruguayan personnel also serve in the UN peace operations the Central African Republic, Colombia, the DR Congo, Lebanon, and the Middle East.

The peacekeepers carry out extensive patrols to protect civilians, conduct community outreach activities and support schools and orphanages.

A total of 35 Uruguayan peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.

Thank you, Uruguay for the service and sacrifice of your peacekeepers.

Stories of service and sacrifice

The Engagement Platoon - UN Peacekeeping in the Central African Republic

Follow Major Sifamwelwa Akalaluka from Zambia in a groundbreaking 360¡ã VR journey to the Central African Republic. As a leader in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the country, MINUSCA, she directs critical community engagement and protection efforts along the uneasy Sudanese border. Experience firsthand how the inclusion of women in diverse peacekeeping teams makes UN operations more responsive, efficient, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

A soldier¡¯s peace - rising to meet your own courage

Recently recognized by UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres for her work to address gender-based violence in South Sudan, Major Swathi Shanthakumar, an Indian peacekeeper, has spent the last 18 months proving that leadership isn't just about command - it¡¯s about connection.

Explore the diverse ways UN Peacekeepers are supporting local communities to dismantle discriminatory barriers, protect survivors of gender-based violence, and rebuild justice systems that truly work for women, particularly those living in crisis and conflict.