The United Nations family in Somalia mourns the tragic loss of our colleague, Oliver Vick, in the 10 March plane crash near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Oliver (“Olly”) was born a Briton but he was a true citizen of the world. Olly left his mark on the people and places he encountered including during numerous assignments working for international organizations. We were lucky that Olly spent much of his career working for the United Nations, and here in the UN family in Somalia, we will remember Olly for his warm and open approach to all he met, his commitment and professionalism, and his optimism for the future of Somalia.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go to Olly’s family and friends for their tragic loss, and to the countless colleagues and the friends he made effortlessly everywhere he lived.

“I am devasted by Oliver’s death. Olly was a popular and energetic member of our community here.  We will miss his energy and sunny personality, his enthusiasm for life, for friendship and for the work of the United Nations in Somalia”, said Raisedon Zenenga, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of UNSOM.

Oliver’s career reflected his global outlook. He lived and worked in East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, Liberia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Kosovo, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand and Somalia. Olly’s work included a wide range of assignments from political analysis, to supporting countries emerging from conflict to hold elections, and crisis management. His role in Somalia covered the breadth of United Nations support, coordinating political, security and humanitarian reporting and managing UNSOM’s Crisis Management Secretariat.

As well as handling a demanding role, Olly played an active role in the Staff Welfare Committee and provided support and friendship to many. He mobilized groups to conduct beach clean ups, social gatherings, and sporting events and he was a keen runner. In his time in Somalia he made a huge impact on a wide variety of people, and his positive spirit and enormous contribution to the life and work of the UN family in Somalia will be remembered by us all.

Oliver was a talented and passionate international civil servant whose sense of humanity and desire to transcend boundaries embodied the values of the United Nations across the world. We are privileged to have worked with Olly and will continue his work with him in our hearts.