In August 2003, Laura Dolci and her husband Jean-Selim Kanaan, both 33 years old and United Nations aid workers, were enjoying their time at home in Geneva, Switzerland, with their newborn son Matthia. The couple had met in Bosnia and were deeply passionate about their work and their relationship.

Their journey together had taken them to various places, including Kosovo, New York, and Geneva, where they had tied the knot and become parents.

Jean-Selim had recently received a new assignment in Iraq, and two days before the tragic event, Laura accompanied him to Geneva airport as he prepared to rejoin the UN mission at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad.

Upon his arrival in Baghdad, Jean-Selim was warmly greeted by colleagues who celebrated the birth of his son with champagne. He proudly shared pictures of Matthia with them.

Meanwhile, on the scorching morning of August 19, 2003, Canadian UN staff member Jason Pronyk arrived at the Canal Hotel for a meeting on post-conflict recovery. The temperature that day soared to a blistering 54°C (129°F).

Elpida Rouka, a Greek national working for the UN's oil for food program in Iraq, also arrived in Baghdad that day from the northern part of the country. She headed to her office at the Canal Hotel, anticipating that it would be their last day in Iraq.

However, little did they all know that this day would forever change their lives.

At approximately 16:30 local time on that fateful day, a suicide bomber drove a truck loaded with explosives into the UN compound in Baghdad. The impact was catastrophic. Jason Pronyk, one of the UN staff members, vividly remembers the colossal explosion. He found himself drifting in and out of consciousness as he was rescued from the damaged building and underwent two brain surgeries.

Elpida Rouka, who had narrowly escaped with minor physical injuries, was a firsthand witness to the chaotic aftermath as people frantically tried to save those trapped in the rubble. She recalls the confusion and the absence of the necessary equipment to lift debris, describing the scene as mayhem.

Back in Geneva, Laura was taking a walk with her restless baby Matthia in his pram. Upon her return home, she was met with the grim news from Baghdad flashing on her computer screen.

Distraught, she immediately attempted to call Jean-Selim, her husband, but after several attempts, she heard a constant beep sound, signifying the unthinkable – he was no more. She was haunted by the fact that she had bid him farewell at the airport, accompanied by their child, never imagining it would be their last farewell.

It took her years to summon the courage to use the same elevator at the airport where she had last kissed him.

While this devastating attack was not the first time humanitarian workers had been targeted, it marked a significant and direct assault on the UN's headquarters, prominently displaying the iconic blue flag. This event shook the very foundations of the UN's self-perception.

Elpida reflects on her youthful optimism, believing that the UN's blue flag was invulnerable. Laura concurs, stating that the 19th of August was a day when they lost that innocence.

Since 2003, there have been numerous attacks on the UN and other aid organizations. In 2007, ten UN workers lost their lives in a car bomb attack on UN buildings in Algiers, and in 2011, 18 people were killed when the UN headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, was targeted.

In 2022 alone, there were 235 attacks on aid workers, resulting in 116 fatalities, as reported by the Aid Worker Security Database. Abby Stoddard, who compiles the database, explains that the motives behind these deliberate attacks have grown increasingly complex. They can be orchestrated by armed groups with political agendas or criminal gangs, often involving collusion between the two.

Aid groups are attractive targets due to their resources and vehicles, which can be looted, and they are sometimes kidnapped for ransom or propaganda.

In certain cases, aid agencies become targets as a means to destabilize already fragile nations, allowing particular armed groups to seize control. The motivation behind the Baghdad attack in 2003 may have been just that.

By obstructing or manipulating aid, armed groups can undermine governments and assert authority over territories and populations. The tragic events of August 2003 led to significantly enhanced security measures for aid workers, culminating in the establishment of the Department for Safety and Security by the UN in 2005 to support all UN agencies.

This attack served as a sobering reminder of the risks and challenges that humanitarian workers face while striving to provide aid in conflict zones and crisis areas.

Despite the immense personal tragedies they endured and the heightened risks they face, Elpida, Jason, and Laura remain committed to their work with the United Nations.

In many ways, they, along with Jean-Selim, who hailed from Egypt and France, embody the principles outlined in the UN Charter, which pledges to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" and reaffirm "faith in fundamental human rights."

Jason expresses gratitude for his survival and views the events of that fateful day two decades ago as a stark reminder of the importance of multilateralism and looking beyond one's self.

Elpida, who has grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder, uses this day to reflect on the solemn oath of office she took in service to the UN Charter.
Laura's decision to continue her work with the UN stems from her desire to maintain continuity with her young family's aspirations. She firmly believes that attacks on aid workers will not deter the next generation of motivated individuals ready to dedicate their youth and enthusiasm in the service of others.

These individuals are a testament to the enduring spirit of humanitarianism and the unwavering commitment to the principles of the United Nations, even in the face of adversity and tragedy.