UNHCR mourns the deaths of three colleagues killed in Ethiopian Airlines crash

GENEVA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is mourning today the tragic loss of three colleagues killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash in Ethiopia yesterday morning (10 March).

UNHCR’s own Nadia Ali, Jessica Hyba and Jackson Musoni were among the passengers on board the ET 302 flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi which crashed shortly after take-off.

Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed that there were no survivors. Fatalities also include colleagues working for other United Nations agencies, as well as for non-governmental partner organizations and other international organizations.

“We’ve been struck by sudden and terrible loss,” said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, cutting short his visit to the Middle East and urgently returning to UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. “This is devastating for all families who lost their dear ones in yesterday’s crash. Our thoughts are with them.”

“We are doing everything we can to help Nadia’s, Jessica’s and Jackson’s families at this most difficult and painful time. On behalf of all UNHCR staff worldwide, I extend my deepest sympathies to their families. We mourn today our dear colleagues and friends. UNHCR has lost dedicated humanitarians who tirelessly worked for the millions worldwide forced to flee wars and persecution.”

Nadia Adam Abaker Ali, Sudanese national aged 40, joined UNHCR in Nyala, Sudan in 2010. As Assistant Protection Officer, she had been working there to help Sudanese people who fled from Darfur. Before joining UNHCR, Nadia was working as a health specialist in Nyala and Khartoum. She leaves behind a husband and daughter aged six.

Jessica Hyba, Canadian national aged 43, had been working as Senior External Relations Officer with UNHCR in Mogadishu. She had taken this latest assignment in February this year. Jessica joined UNHCR in Iraq in 2013 and had also worked at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva. Prior to UNHCR, Jessica had a long and distinguished service with Care Canada, Care International and UNICEF. She leaves behind close family including two daughters, aged 9 and 12.

Jackson Musoni, Rwandan national aged 31, had been working since late 2017 as Associate Field Coordinator in Sudan’s East Darfur. He had joined UNHCR in 2014, working in Butare, Rwanda. From 2011 to 2014 Jackson had been working for the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The close family he leaves behind include three children aged eight, five and four.

From the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi led colleagues in UNHCR operations around the world in observing a minute of silence this afternoon.

ENDS

News organizations can download the High Commissioner's video statement on Refugees Media:

• ENG: https://media.unhcr.org/CS.aspx?VP3=DamView&VBID=2CZ7RBPBMS9&DT=DamView_M
• INT: https://media.unhcr.org/CS.aspx?VP3=DamView&VBID=2CZ7RBPBXDQ&DT=DamView_M