2010 Programs and Events
UN Office, U.S. Embassy Hold Joint Commemoration Ceremony
UN Resident Coordinator Antonius Broek and U.S. Charge d’Affaires Michael Scanlan Observing Minute of Silence at Ruth Waller’s Grave
On October 27, 2010 UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Antonius Broek and U.S. Charge d’Affaires Michael Scanlan held a commemoration ceremony for American Ruth Waller, member of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration’s mission which operated in Belarus in 1946-47. UNRRA was established to coordinate and oversee distribution of humanitarian and technical supplies to help Belarus recover from the aftermath of the devastating war. The staff was composed of primarily Americans with the bulk of the assistance coming from United States. Antonius Broek and Michael Scanlan laid flowers at the grave of Ruth Waller who died on August 4, 1946 having contracted a fatal disease after saving drowning Belarusian kids. In his remarks Michael Scanlan noted, in particular, that the international assistance to post-war Belarus and Ruth’s ultimate sacrifice were “a manifestation of solidarity with the Belarusian people” and that the United Nations and the U.S. Government continue to work with Belarus to develop its potential. The continued engagement seeks to bring Belarus a step closer to being an integrated part of Europe and fulfilling the common objective after World War II of extending stability, security, prosperity, and democracy to the entire European continent.
The Forgotten Mission - a U.S. Embassy documentary about UNRRA activities (in Russian)