18 February 2009

Khartoum, Sudan: UNV Executive Coordinator, Flavia Pansieri, has spent five days in Sudan, meeting one of the largest contingents of UNV volunteers in the field.

During her stay she met with UNV volunteers mainly serving with various substantive and administrative units of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

“Visiting volunteers in the field is always a great inspiration. What greater testament to humanity and solidarity is there than the spirit of volunteerism?” noted Ms. Pansieri while in Khartoum.

She said she had been gratified to receive so much positive feedback during her visit about the work of the UNV volunteers and their contribution to make a reality of the UNMIS mandate to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Hailing from 60 countries, the UNV volunteers in Sudan bring a host of skills and experience across many professional fields to UNMIS activities. From human rights and civil affairs to medical, engineering and aviation, UNV volunteers comprise an invaluable asset for the mission and for the people of Sudan.

While in Sudan, Ms. Pansieri and her team from UNV headquarters in Germany met senior officials from UNMIS and other UN agencies, as well as with senior Governmental officials in Khartoum and Juba. She also flew to Juba to meet UNV's contingent in South Sudan.

At UNMIS Headquarters in Khartoum, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ashraf Qazi, told Ms. Pansieri of the mission’s great appreciation for the UNV volunteers serving with UNMIS throughout Sudan.

“These people are dedicated idealists,” he said. “They exemplify the core values of the UN and we are proud of them.”

During 2008, 636 UNV volunteers served in Sudan, including 65 Sudanese nationals. Of these, 278 were assigned to the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) with the rest working with UNMIS and other UN agencies.