UNV offers its partners volunteer solutions for the COVID-19 pandemic response and guidance on engaging volunteers and volunteer groups in health emergencies.
New overview released: UN Volunteer contributions to COVID-19 response
The United Nations Volunteers programme has released a new overview of its contribution to the UN System’s COVID-19 response, outlining the specific support UN Volunteers are providing UN partners to overcome the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19. Read more...
UNV’s Global Talent Pool has over 200,000 registered, highly skilled professionals from over 150 nationalities, representing over 100 different professional profiles.
UNV also has sub-pools of nationals who have registered to volunteer with the UN in their own country. These volunteers can be deployed without travel, and have knowledge of local languages, cultures, and political contexts.
UN Volunteers have the skills and experience required by the UN system, including in information management, communications, logistics, community engagement, socio-economic impact assessment, procurement and impact assessment, as well as health-specific areas including medical officers, WASH professionals, nurses and those with health supply chain experience.
UN Volunteers are ready, as well, to be part of longer-term recovery efforts for economic recovery, monitoring and evaluation, and strengthening health systems.
Through our Online Volunteering service. UNV has 600,000 registered volunteers ready to support the UN remotely. Online volunteer assignments vary from outreach and advocacy, translation and graphic design to impact assessments and data analysis. In the current crisis, dedicated professionals are volunteering online to combat COVID-19. Others have produced creative communication materials for UN partners. In the past, online volunteers have supported impact assessments after the Nepal earthquake, and information management in response to Hurricane Irma in 2017. Read more about what the UN has to say about the Online Volunteering service.
UNV releases guidance note on engaging volunteers and volunteer groups in health emergencies
Globally, volunteer action is filling gaps in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that governments and industry can’t meet alone. This new guidance note outlines the distinctive strengths of volunteerism that can be applied across COVID-19 preparation, response and recovery efforts. It also provides specific examples of successful volunteer approaches in health emergencies, advice on effective volunteer engagement, and tools and resources for use by the UN system, governments and civil society.
UNV Guidance Note: Engaging Volunteers and Volunteer Groups in Health Emergencies
We know that volunteers are always at the frontline of the response in times of crisis. There are millions of people volunteering to keep people safe during this outbreak. --Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV
Next steps
If you are an UN entity interested in recruiting UN Volunteers for your COVID-19 response, visit How to recruit a UN Volunteer and contact your closest UNV office from the list.
For information on UN Volunters supporting the UN system in pandemic response efforts, visit the dedicated COVID-19 page.