Not many people have noticed that there are two UN(s): – “The Black UN and the Blue UN”. At least; that’s how many of the autochthones of the missions’ host nations see us, when we pass by in our UN vehicles.
The reason for this distinctive appearance resides on the UN lettering exposed on the organization’s vehicles. Some have the lettering on light blue and others have it on black.
But the chromatic difference is not a random option, neither is it the lack of proper ink. In fact, it exists to differentiate different members of the “UN Family”. The black UN letters (the most seen) are assigned to UN country missions (UNMOGIP, UNAMA, MINUSCA, etc.), whereas the blue lettering is reserved for UN agencies and programs (UNHCR, UNDSS, UNDP, etc.), some of them even display the agency’s logo on the vehicle (but always on light blue).
The problem is the population’s misunderstanding of the two different coloring. The people coming in a Blue UN vehicle, normally arrive to offer goods, to help in medical care, etc. In turn, the foreigners arriving in black UN lettered vehicles are normally inspecting, observing, even military interference with the local activity (especially in warlords’ dominated territory). Result; the locals like the Blue UN better, because they actually give them stuff.
Bottom line, regardless the coloring of its cars, people may like or dislike the United Nations … but they are not indifferent to it.
“The UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell.”
Dag Hammarskjöld – United Nations Secretary-General – 1954
#peacekeepinginawarzone
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