Meritorious Service Cross

• Awarded on: May 26, 2003
• Invested on: December 05, 2003

Marcel Bergeron, M.S.C., Montreal, Quebec
Meritorious Service Cross (civil division)

As UN Chief of Civilian Security from March to September 1994, during the Assistance Mission in Rwanda, Marcel Bergeron was of invaluable assistance to the Rwandan people. In spite of shelling and gunfire, he distributed food, medicine and fuel to refugee camps and hospitals. He also single-handedly opened and ran the Kigali airport for several weeks, allowing humanitarian aid convoys to reach the threatened population and journalists from around the world to transmit reports to the international community about one of the worst humanitarian tragedies. Despite the extremely difficult working conditions he faced during his mandate, Mr. Bergeron demonstrated outstanding dedication and professional skill.