London: Virtual Cenotaph commemorates every life lost in war

Source: Quakers in Britain

On Remembrance Sunday, 9 November, Every Casualty Counts, hosted by Quakers in Britain, projected a striking Virtual Cenotaph onto the front of Friends House in Euston.

In 2024, at least one civilian was killed in war every 12 minutes. The Virtual Cenotaph's light projection focused on the deeply personal cost of war, memorialising 100 ordinary people killed in wars during 2024.

This inclusive remembrance highlighted lives lost in Ukraine, Sudan, Mexico, Palestine and other ongoing conflicts around the world, including civilians and military personnel.

The projection marks the launch of Every Casualty Counts' Memorial 2025 project, an online memorial to 120 people killed by war in 2024, featuring their images and stories.

Gangiyo Dieudonné Mbolifue was a 23-year-old market vendor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was shot dead by members of the armed group, Union Pour la Paix en Centrafrique on 8 July 2024.

His family said: "It is good that the world hears about what is happening here and how our lives are affected by violence and conflict on a daily basis."

Every Casualty Counts is an international charity dedicated to ensuring every life lost in armed conflict is recognised.

Executive Director Rachel Taylor, said: "Remembrance Day is an important time to reflect on the terrible human cost of war. But if we only look to the past and fail to acknowledge the lives being lost today, we are doing a great disservice to everyone who has suffered in war."

She continued: "I believe that remembering Britain's war dead but not acting to spare other families around the world from the same pain today, is a betrayal."

Short readings of personal stories accompanied the projection in the Friends House garden, creating a quiet space for reflection.

Hannah Brock Womack, peace lead for Quakers in Britain, said: "Quakers believe there is that of God in everyone. Every life is precious and so killing and violence cannot be justified. We are proud to support an event which reminds us all of the dreadful human cost of war."

Rebecca Tinsley, founder of Waging Peace, also spoke during the commemoration.

The display was visible to the public along Euston Road.

The National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, with Mark Rylance and Rachel Taylor, executive director of Every Casualty Counts took place in Tavistock Square.

John Alderdice, author of Ending Wars later gave the Movement for the Abolition of War Remembrance Lecture at Hamilton House.

In 2024 there were 61 active conflicts across 36 countries - the highest number since the end of the Second World War.
The average annual death toll from war this decade is more than double the previous twenty-year average.
Civilian deaths rose by 40 per cent compared to 2023. This is the third consecutive yearly increase.
The number of women and children killed quadrupled compared to the previous two-year period (2021-2022).
When explosive weapons were used in towns or cities, 95 per cent of those killed or injured were civilians.