Identity, to me, is what we share when we introduce ourselves to others. It includes the traditions of our country of origin or the language we speak, our religious practices, family customs, hometown festivals and more. Now, imagine if your very identity was continuously challenged – only because you were forced to flee your place of origin due to precarious circumstances like war, political unrest or climate change. This is the reality that asylum seekers, refugees and anyone unwillingly displaced from home, face every day.

I was recruited by UNDP in Zimbabwe to provide technical support to the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Spotlight Initiative on disability-inclusive programming and interventions.

UNV has joined hands with several partners to protect the environment and mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Shingirai is one of the talented cadres of committed volunteers deployed by UNV to catalyse and promote climate action in Gokwe South. As a UN Volunteer, Shingirai is in a unique position to mobilize communities and strengthen their resilience through alternative livelihoods, water provision and harnessing renewable energy in response to climate change impacts. --J. Mushosho, Programme Analyst, Environment and Climate Change, UNDP

My role in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is an interesting one. I lead the Media Relations Team for the mission’s Communications and Public Information section. My day begins bright and early at 5:45am, when I compile the day’s media monitoring report, highlighting key political, economic and social issues, both in South Sudan and internationally.

Kenya Lawrence Nzuve, Un Volunteer Communications and Outreach Officer, UN Environment (UNEP)

Currently, 40 UN Volunteers are deployed with the UN Support Office for Somalia (UNSOS) and 12 UN Volunteers with the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). They serve from different locations in Somalia and Kenya. This is a significant increase over the years from 18 UN Volunteers in 2015. With an average age of 42 years and a gender ratio of 30 per cent women, UNSOS is making significant progress towards achieving gender parity among UN Volunteers.

Where are you based?

I support a UNDP project on Integrated Landscape Management for Improved Livelihoods and Ecosystem Resilience in Mount Elgon. This aims to empower communities to manage their production landscapes in an integrated manner for improved livelihoods and ecosystem resilience.