How do you see the partnership between UN Women and UN Volunteers and why is this important?

The people of South Sudan deserve to enjoy life, deserve to have food, water, electricity, education and a prosperous future for their children. This is the spirit of volunteerism for me – volunteering to make people’s lives better. --Ia Saakadze, UN Volunteer Air Operations Assistant

UNMISS was established in 2011 after South Sudan became the newest country on earth and works to deter violence, provide refuge at Protection of Civilian sites across the country, facilitate humanitarian assistance and investigate human rights violations. It is an impartial partner at national and sub-national level to political, religious, traditional and community leaders to foster reconciliation.

Nairobi, 19 February 2018 - UNV’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Mr. Toily Kurbanov, will be travelling to South Sudan and Kenya between February 19 and February 23, 2018. The mission seeks to advance volunteerism’s positive impact on provision of social services, employment, peace and reconciliation. Mr. Kurbanov will recognize the work of UN Volunteers in hardship conditions, promote volunteerism as a powerful means in achieving the Agenda 2030 and inform UNV’s partners about the organization’s new priorities in 2018-2021.

Nairobi, 19 February 2018 - UNV’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Mr. Toily Kurbanov, will be travelling to South Sudan and Kenya between February 19 and February 23, 2018. The mission seeks to advance volunteerism’s positive impact on provision of social services, employment, peace and reconciliation. Mr. Kurbanov will recognize the work of UN Volunteers in hardship conditions, promote volunteerism as a powerful means in achieving the Agenda 2030 and inform UNV’s partners about the organization’s new priorities in 2018-2021.

Nairobi, 19 February 2018 - UNV’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Mr. Toily Kurbanov, will be travelling to South Sudan and Kenya between February 19 and February 23, 2018. The mission seeks to advance volunteerism’s positive impact on provision of social services, employment, peace and reconciliation. Mr. Kurbanov will recognize the work of UN Volunteers in hardship conditions, promote volunteerism as a powerful means in achieving the Agenda 2030 and inform UNV’s partners about the organization’s new priorities in 2018-2021.

Nairobi, 19 February 2018 - UNV’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Mr. Toily Kurbanov, will be travelling to South Sudan and Kenya between February 19 and February 23, 2018. The mission seeks to advance volunteerism’s positive impact on provision of social services, employment, peace and reconciliation. Mr. Kurbanov will recognize the work of UN Volunteers in hardship conditions, promote volunteerism as a powerful means in achieving the Agenda 2030 and inform UNV’s partners about the organization’s new priorities in 2018-2021.

During conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, sexual and reproductive health needs are easily overlooked – yet these needs are often staggering. UN Volunteers work in conflict-affected areas hand in hand with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) staff to deploy hygiene supplies, obstetric and family planning supplies, trained personnel, and other support to vulnerable populations, and works to ensure the needs of women and young people are served through both an emergency and the reconstruction phase.

Sudan is a vast and diverse country with many facets. The landscape itself is reminiscent of this diversity – Sudan goes from hot deserts to green areas around the Nile. The same diversity applies to the faces of the people you meet. My experience in engaging with women as part of my assignment has also been quite diverse. Armed conflict has incessantly affected the country. The role of women in the full spectrum of society is fluctuating. My volunteer assignment enables me to look at facets of this spectrum and contribute in any way I can.

Solomon focuses on supporting UNESCO's education component of the project, implementing literacy and numeracy programmes at cattle camps within the Lakes State pastoralist communities.  "As a volunteer, I have gained experience and understanding of the diverse ways of life of communities in the pastoral communities.  I am glad I am helping build their capacity and resilience."