Karuna began her volunteer assignment in November 2022. She helps build the resilience of personnel and says, “My goal is to significantly impact the lives of those affected by various crises. Through personalized counseling sessions, I help individuals and groups manage their mental health and effectively cope with their challenges.”  I take pride in positively impacting Afghan women which has given me new perspectives and insights that continually help me to grow as an individual." -- Karuna Kunwar, UN Volunteer Staff Counsellor with UNAMA.

Proving joint medical services and emergency response From routine check-ups to critical emergency response, UN Volunteer health professionals within the Joint Medical Services and Medical Emergency Response Team play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of those working tirelessly to support the Afghan people.

Barry’s driving motivation to become a UN Volunteer stems from his proud South African roots and lived experience. He witnessed, firsthand, the growing pains of the newly democratized rainbow nation under the inspirational leadership of Nelson Mandela. As a senior civil servant during the post-Apartheid era, he was pivotal in the reconstruction and development of a new government. Decades later, this is a repetitive theme at the core of Barry’s DNA.

For the past two years, Susan has been serving as a UN Volunteer with the UN Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). As the Occupational Safety and Health Officer, she has drafted a specific occupational safety and health policy, which is in the process of implementation.

Kabul, Afghanistan: I am really glad to have had the opportunity to work as a UN Volunteer in Afghanistan since 2012. The time and work here is enriching and words cannot explain the satisfaction obtained from the field experience, whenever I am greeted with not just the warm welcome but the look of gratitude and joy from the very poor, yet very hospitable families in the remote locations of the Northern region of Afghanistan, where up until this year access was not a problem.

From 21-23 September 2013, UN Volunteers and other United Nations (UN) personnel with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) are joining with the Afghanistan Astronomy Association for a three-day “star party” to mark the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2013.

From 21-23 September 2013, UN Volunteers and other United Nations (UN) personnel with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) are joining with the Afghanistan Astronomy Association for a three-day “star party” to mark the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2013.

UNV highlights the work of two online volunteers and their important contributions to communities far away from their own: One woman in Malaysia assists with the design and production of a brochure for an agricultural association (ADICTA) in one of the poorest regions of Guatemala. Another online volunteer, located in Oxford, England, has been offering free post-secondary education courses and tutoring to Ugandan, Afghani and Nepalese refugees and IDPs (internally displaced persons) through Respect University.