UN worker killed in Algiers given pres'l citation

Gene Luna, the Filipino staff worker of the United Nations World Food Program killed in a bombing attack in Algeria on Dec. 12, has been conferred a presidential citation for her dedication to her work.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo presented the award to Luna's family on behalf of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Luna's sister Lillian and her two nephews received the posthumous award.

The award cites Luna "for performing the tasks dedicated to humanity, even in the face of terrorism…for constantly supporting fellow workers in their daily struggles and challenges…for offering her last moments to the goals of her institution, and showing the courage and strength of the Filipino in the face of death."

Valerie Guarnieri, WFP country director and representative in the Philippines, said the UN agency is "pleased and honoured" by the presidential citation to “our cherished staff member."

"Gene is a positive and compassionate woman, and always had a smile for her co-workers. In her life and in her death, she embodied the best of the United Nations and of the Philippines," the WFP official said about Luna.

Luna, 48, joined WFP in Afghanistan as a finance officer five years ago and transferred to the UN offices in Algeria barely a week before she was killed in a bomb attack on Dec. 12 where 17 other UN staff members perished.

In 2007, 36 humanitarian workers serving WFP around the world were killed, injured or detained.

Luna’s remains was repatriated to Manila on Dec. 19.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency. In 2007, it gave food to 88 million people, mostly women and children, in 78 of the world's poorest countries. - GMANews.TV

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