As part of the implementation of the plan of action presented by the UN Secretary-General (A/70/118) to integrate volunteering for the next decade and beyond, UNV is facilitating the preparation of five regional synthesis reports, as an input to the 2019 regional consultations in preparation for the global technical meeting in 2020.

The volunteer response mechanisms were intensified to support regions affected by several earthquakes that shook Mexico in September 2017. Collection centers were set up and supported to coordinate the restoration of family links nationally. During the month of September, 236 tons of humanitarian aid were received in collection centers located in 16 states of the country – aid that benefited more than 20,000 people.

In May this year, the UN General Assembly officially declared 30 September, International Translation Day.

Dr. Meroni Abraham joined the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as a UNV Medical Officer in 2012, after having worked as a medical doctor in Ethiopia and Eritrea for over 15 years.

Solomon Ayiko (Canada), a UNV Recovery, Reintegration & Peace Building Officer assigned to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is convinced that increasing women’s representation in post-conflict peace- and state-building is essential to achieving success in the process.  “It’s through cohesion and intense consultation of both women and men that the peacebuilding and state building process can see hope for legitimacy and progress,” said Solomon.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is an equal opportunity organization which welcomes applications from qualified professionals all over the world. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture, as the diversity of UN Volunteers is critical to the United Nation's success.

Volunteerism was vital in efforts to develop South Sudan, workers with a Unity State organization said today during a meeting organized by UNMISS in the state capital Bentiu. The volunteers or “social mobilizers” associated with the South Sudan Trust Rehabilitation and Development Organization (SSTDO) were attending a forum led by UNMISS Public Information Officer and UN Volunteer Anna Adhikhari (Poland).

“Run for Light” the posters proclaimed. And in June, some 250 competitors assembled outside the Wau Teaching Hospital in South Sudan to run and bicycle in the UNV Wau Duathlon. The charity event was held to raise funds for solar panels to help light up the hospital.  

Next time you are in Mapel, in Western Bahr El Gazal state in South Sudan, check out the busy restaurants located near the military barracks.  One is operated by Mary Alueth Madu, now a successful business woman, who employs a staff of six. This is certainly a change since those days before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed, when Mary spent 10 years cooking for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

The desire to make a difference in people's lives is what keeps David Asiimwe (Uganda) motivated as he serves as a UNV Civil Affairs Officer  in Bentiu, Unity State with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).  If this means interrupting a mission to Mayom County with UNV colleague Pradeep Jha to help a returnee construct her Tukul, then so be it.