Frequently Asked Questions

What is UN Staff for Gaza?

UN Staff for Gaza is an initiative established by current and former UN staff, in their personal capacities, to show solidarity with fellow staff and personnel working in Gaza, explore ways to support colleagues working in and on Gaza, and to speak up in defence of the values of the UN Charter and international law. The group was created on 26 July through the circulation of an Open Letter to United Nations Staff.

Why was it set up?

It was set up because we feel it is our duty to speak up against atrocity crimes wherever they may be. The Oath of Office taken by all members of UN Staff requires us to fulfil our duties “in all loyalty, discretion and conscience” and Staff Rules and Regulations ask us to observe integrity call on us to exercise sound moral judgement, integrity, impartiality and truthfulness. With 400 UN personnel killed in Gaza since October 2023 and atrocity crimes and man-made starvation ongoing, we believe that the situation in Gaza constitutes an unprecedented assault on our common humanity, threatens the foundational principles of the United Nations. It is our duty to speak up.

Who can join UN Staff for Gaza?

All current and former members of UN staff and personnel. All other persons are welcome to amplify our messaging. On occasion, personnel of Permanent Missions, UN-accredited members of the media, and persons affiliated with ECOSOC-accredited NGOs, may be able to participate in certain of our activities, but cannot be among the initiative's organizers.

What does UN Staff for Gaza do?

UN Staff for Gaza provides a safe space for interested current and former UN Staff and personnel to exchange views and information on the ongoing situation in Gaza, support UN fundraising efforts, promote UN short films and documentaries, and engage with UN colleagues to learn how best to support their ongoing efforts in Gaza. Current ongoing activities include:

• Memorial Project: to gain institutional and political commitment to establish a permanent memorial in UNHQ for UN staff killed in Gaza and bring to light the plight of survivors.

• Business and ethics: to support the application of the Organization’s Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy to include divestment from partners complicit in international crimes in Gaza.

• Support to UN staff: helping UN staff and personnel from UN Secretariat and AFPs to connect, share experiences and mobilize together, contributing to a positive organizational culture; and explore ways to support UN staff and personnel working in and on Gaza.

• Support to UN and their partners: amplify messaging and calls for support to UN and their partners, who carry out vital work for the civilian population in Gaza.

• Webinars: help UN staff and personnel stay informed of the evolving situation and expand knowledge base on the application of the UN Charter, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, diplomatic tools for accountability, and the roles of the ICJ, ICC, universal jurisdiction, and civil society.

How can I participate?

We arrange webinars by current and former UN staff and personnel with expertise on the situation in Gaza, international humanitarian law and operations, international human rights law, diplomacy, international accountability and civil society [hyperlink webinars page on our website], circulate UN leadership messaging [hyperlink to our news page?] and share useful sources of information such the daily briefings of the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson (live at noon NY time) and a calendar of UN-related events on Gaza [hyperlink to forward-looking calendar page]. We also have a list of publications, Op-Eds and briefings by well-established NGOs and international experts [hyperlink to such page on our website.]

What about supporting Palestinians in Gaza in general? What more can UN staff do?

UN entities work with local partners who carry out essential work for the Palestinian population, both alongside the UN and in its absence when prevented from entering Gaza. UN Staff are encouraged to support them. Hyperlink to list on website or include below?

How can we know more about the conditions of UN staff working in Gaza? How can we support them?

We aim to connect colleagues working in and on Gaza with the broader UN community in ways that they indicate would be useful, with the objective of better understanding their situation, listening, sharing their stories when asked to, and exploring ways to support them and their families as needed. We also provide links to fundraising efforts for UN entities and their partners who carry out essential work in Gaza [hyperlink to page on Support to UN and partners].

What about other situations of mass atrocities? Why does UN Staff for Gaza focus on Gaza?

The focus on Gaza is due to the unprecedented levels of death, destruction and impunity we are seeing related to Gaza. We include links to vital sources of information on other situations of mass atrocities on our website and seek to connect with efforts being made to shed light to those situations as well. [hyperlink to such a page on our website] We must stand together and mobilize wider support in defence of human rights, justice and peace everywhere.

Contact UN Staff for Gaza at info@un4gaza.org. Follow us on X and Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.

UN Staff for Gaza is a private association, neither formally affiliated with nor endorsed by the United Nations. Persons involved with the initiative are current and former UN staff members and related personnel, and act in their private, unofficial capacities, maintaining at all times the integrity, independence and impartiality required of international civil servants.