In Loving Memory of
Benedicte Duchesne
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Benedicte, our dear friend and team member.
We are setting up this online condolence book for everyone who worked with and loved Benedicte to share their thoughts, photos, and memories. The book will be given to Benedicte’s family later.
You all know how passionate Bene was about Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and improving access to these services for forcibly displaced and stateless persons, including through tackling the stigma around mental health.
To honor her commitment, we would like to suggest that those who would like to give donate to Azhee (https://azhee.org). Azhee is a small Iraqi grassroots organisation working to advocate for the need for suicide prevention in Kurdistan, all of Iraq and beyond – a topic that was very dear to Benedicte’s heart. Azhee has also contributed to the development of a national strategy in Iraq and has been involved in national campaigns and regional networks. An article related to their work can be found here: Intervention Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Conflict Affected Areas (lww.com).
Donations can be made directly to:
Sabah Yaseen Abdulrahman
Account in Portugal (EUR)
IBAN: PT50 0007 0000 0064 2629 6572 3
Rua da Misericórdia 28
1200-273 Lisboa
Tel: +351 218834184
Extensão: 5001026
Tm: + 351 962141257
Novo Banco
Our deepest condolences go to Benedicte’s family and friends in this time of sorrow.
Bene’s colleagues in UNHCR MENA
Book Owner: UNHCR MENA
Book Size:Â 200 Messages
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Edina
I was in disbelief and shock when I learned of Benedicte’s passing. It is simply too early. I hope that her family knows that Benedicte was a respected, valued, and appreciated colleague who will be deeply missed. My sincere condolences to Benedicte’s family, wishing you loads of strength while going through these difficult times, Edina. …
Gabriela Wengert
To Benedicte’s family and friends: I am deeply sorry for your loss. During the years I had the privilege of working with Benedicte in Amman, she consistently impressed me with her profound knowledge, unwavering passion for her work, and genuine kindness. Her dedication and expertise were truly remarkable, and her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her. It’s hard to imagine the team without her presence and contributions. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. My best wishes, Gabriela…
Hivine
The first time I met Benedicte was in 2018 when she visited Iraq. We visited many camps and talked to several people whom we serve. She gave time and focus to each and every person she talked to. She made a difference. Her advice and support will be missed. To Benedicte’s parents, I extend my deep and heartfelt condolences to you. Benedicte told me about her father’s love for music and her mom’s health situation. You were both on her mind whenever we looked for souvenirs. She loved to be home taking care of both of you. If it happened and you got the chance to write back to us, please let us know where Benedicte’s final resting place will be. I would really love to visit her.. hivine@icloud.com…
John Solecki
I first met Benedicte at a meeting in Beirut in 2019 and was deeply impressed with her knowledge and compassion. Through personal experience, I was very much interested in the provision of psycho social support to refugees and was very glad that we had a focal point that we could count on . In several discussions we spoke about the history and provision of pyscho social support in the Middle East and the need for greater emphasis to be placed on it as a health issue. She later came to Egypt for a mission and my regret is that she was not able to return here for a follow up. I will miss the conversations that we had on professional matters and she was also able to introduce me to a part of Cairo which i did not know about….. one evening when she was here we went to see a visiting Sufi dance group downtown. Deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Her passing is a great loss to all of us. John S. …
Belen
Bene and I worked together at the UNHCR RB MENA for more than four years, including the difficult COVID 19 time when she was very supportive of the organization and the specific responses put it in place. She was a very kind colleague who always knew how to make others around to feel heard and respected. Her commitment to the well-being of most vulnerable populations motivated the MENA region teams to change their mindset when providing humanitarian aid to people in need of support. I felt particularly inspired by her work on preventing suicide and how all of us can do something to help those at risk and their families. I learned a lot from her, not only about how to mainstream MHPSS across all humanitarian sectors, but also about how to promote safe workspaces. I know other colleagues, partners and communities will also bring along with them the knowledge and skills that she was sharing every day of her life with us. We will always remember her generosity and kindness. May she rest in peace. Condolences and strength in this difficult moment for her family. …
Tugce
We met with Benedicte when she came to Gaziantep and Ankara in Turkey for PFA trainings and we have continued to communicate remotely. She was always very kind, helpful, reachable, good listener and very knowledgeable and professional defender of MHPSS. She contributed a lot to UNHCR and persons that she met. Benedicte will be remembered always with her kidness, smile and her passion on her work. We will miss you, Benedicte….
Steffi
When I think of Benedicte, I smile. I see her face very clearly in front of me, eyes always sparkling and a knowing smile on her face. You just had to smile back. Sitting at her desk with head phones on, and a Pepper and Pine salad in front of her half the size of mine, or sitting in my office chatting about work or: the best place for blondes to get their hair done in Amman, the best place to go swimming, the best swimming cap that does not get your hair wet, which countries we had been to and still wanted to travel to, the Pyrenees, books. Our text messages and chats over the past months, when not concerned with HR and Admin issues, were all about how MHPSS could be carried forward and continued in MENA after her leaving. I do not think that I have met many people who were so uniquely focused on and compassionate about their area of work. Bene loved her work, she loved people, she loved this region. A few weeks before she left she brought me a new swimming cap to the office – this one – finally – for sure…
Marta P.
Benedicte, I only had the pleasure to work with you briefly, and you were always gentle, kind, supportive, competent and professional. A wonderful colleague to collaborate with, and a gentle soul in an increasingly cruel world. Your premature departure seems extremely unfair; you will be hugely missed. To your family and friends: Benedicte has done so much good to so many, and I am sure she will be remembered with gratitude by those who knew her; she contributed to make the world a better place, and I hope this thought will bring you comfort at this very sad time. My prayers are with you all. Marta…
Sandrine
À Benedicte, J’ai retrouvé en toi toute l’humanité qui semblait avoir déserté cette planète. Ce fut un honneur d’avoir pu croiser ta route. Tu as été pour moi une source de réconfort et d’inspiration. Merci. À la famille de Benedicte Duchesne, Le monde est aujourd’hui un peu plus sombre sans elle, mais je sais que la lumière qu’elle a apportée à tant de personnes, moi y compris, continuera de briller dans nos cœurs. Je partage votre douleur et toutes mes pensées vous accompagnent. Bénédicte restera dans nos mémoires comme une personne exceptionnelle, pleine de douceur et de gentillesse. Avec toute ma sympathie,…
Abeer J
I only worked with Benedict briefly online and had the pleasure of meeting her in person. However, her passion towards her work was truly inspiring. She was a genuinely caring person, which was very clear through her work and the time and effort she put into addressing even the smallest queries the operation had on cases or procedures. May her soul rest in eternal peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and close friends….
Alessia P.
My sincere condolences to Benedicte’s family. We worked together in the UNHCR MENA Office, and I will always remember her unconditional kindness and support, including through the entire COVID lockdown in Amman. A truly amazing colleague with a heart of gold. May she rest in peace. Benedicte – you will be dearly missed. …
Irina
To: Bene You are in a better place now-much more peaceful and happier than our world nowadays. I would always remember your positive energy, amazing drive and determination to help those in need. Through your calm disposition, gracious and kind attitude you have shown many, including myself, that critical situations could be mitigated, if not resolved. You did not hesitate to support colleagues in the team and in the region, in addition to a whole load of extra tasks you had gained at the time we lived through COVID and strict quarantine regulations in Amman. I remember how we cracked jokes, exchanged cross-cultural experiences and stories about Vietnam, France and Uzbekistan, the ways you made us love herbal tea during the breaks and how you supported us with reducing stress and practicing mindfulness ahead of major multilateral regional events. Your kindness was overwhelming, Bene, it always warmed our hearts and put smiles on our faces reinstilling belief in humanity. It feels unfair that this world will have less of you, but hope you are happy in heaven. To: Bene’s family Our heartfelt condolences to you, may Benedicte’s memory bring you comfort and peace during this challenging time….
Maria St.
Benedicte came for a visit to Syria a year ago; we all appreciated greatly her expertise, empathy and gentleness. She cared deeply for her fellow human beings and will be remembered for that for ever. May she rest in eternal peace. Maria…
Jelena
Our thoughts are with Benedicte’s family and friends in these hard days. We think of her as someone who changed the world and are grateful for having shared a bit of her path with her. May Benedicte rest in peace. <3…