Is There Such a Thing as a UN Soldier?

What typically causes confusion is the misconception about the existence of a ‘UN soldier.’ While the United Nations undertakes various missions, it does not have its own military forces. Instead, member countries contribute their own troops to support these missions. These peacekeeping troops are essentially part of the contributing nation, even when deployed on a UN mission.

Medical Treatment and Compensation

One of the common questions people have is who bears the cost when a peacekeeper is injured during their service. The answer is clear: the home country of the soldier provides medical care and any necessary financial compensation in the event of injury or death. This includes medical treatment, life insurance, and gratuities.

No Such Thing as a Morbid Payment

There is no such concept as a ‘morbid payment.’ This is not a term recognized in any official UN documents or policies. Any talk of such payments is likely part of a scam. The military personnel of contributing nations are reimbursed according to the rules and regulations of their home country.

Typical UN Peacekeeping Missions

UN peacekeeping missions are established when parties involved in a conflict request a buffer zone to ensure a ceasefire or a truce. The UN then selects a member nation to execute this mission. The participating forces are under the direct control of their home nation, and thus, any responsibilities including medical care, salaries, and expenses fall on that nation.

U.S. Involvement

It is important to note that the United States does not typically deploy its military personnel to UN peacekeeping missions. In the rare instances where the U.S. does participate, the U.S. Department of Defense acts as the lead agency, and the U.S. military follows the same protocols and procedures it would in providing medical care and compensation to its troops.

Protect Yourself from Scammers

Scammers often leverage misunderstandings about UN operations and soldiers to conduct their fraudulent activities. Words like 'morbid payment' or references to nonexistent benefits such as 'liberty or retirement certificates' or 'liberty cards' are red flags. These terms do not exist in legitimate UN operations, and if you hear them, be cautious.

Precautions and Advice

To avoid falling victim to such scams, always verify the information you receive. If someone contacts you with unclear or questionable information, it is wise to end the conversation and block the person. Never provide personal or financial information to strangers online. If you suspect a scam, it is best to report it to the relevant authorities or organizations.