Ha Noi, Viet Nam: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Viet Nam and the U.S. non-governmental organization Health Volunteers Overseas today launched a joint initiative to boost public awareness of people with disabilities and efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Read

Battagram, Pakistan: So far in Adham Effendi’s 27 years on this planet he has seen more than his fair share of tragedy and despair, from the plight of refugees in his native Pakistan to starving children in Eritrea. Read

Islamabad, Pakistan: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme have launched a National United Nations Volunteers scheme to engage Pakistanis in earthquake recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Read

Banda Aceh, Indonesia: It was the children who were most affected by the tsunami, according to Dr. Yunita, a physician from Jakarta who served as a UN Volunteer for two months in Banda Aceh, working at the Bina Mandiri Crisis Centre, a volunteer-run trauma counselling and medical clinic set up in a district of the city that was nearly levelled by the tidal wave's massive force. Read

Matara, Sri Lanka: They talk to community members. More importantly, they listen to them.  And they learned how to save lives. These, and more, are part of the daily grind UN Volunteers fulfill in mitigating disaster and coordinating relief and recovery in tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka. Read

Cairo, Egypt: Over 3,000 Egyptian youth gathered at Al Azhar Park on Saturday to explore how and where they can volunteer to help Egypt achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Read

Johannesburg: The Human Chain is a campaign whereby over 500 youth from Johannesburg will hold hands creating a chain for five kilometres around the Johannesburg Civic Center to symbolize youth unity towards 0% new HIV infections by year 2020. Read

Bonn, Germany: From natural disasters to ‘silent crises’ such as poverty and disease, volunteers are making a difference across the globe and helping the international community achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed in his message on International Volunteer Day. Read

Kinshasa, DR Congo: For the upcoming International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December 5, UNV’s liaison office in Kinshasa is organizing a photo contest with the theme “What does volunteering mean to you?”. The exhibit will consist of photographs sent by Congolese and international volunteers working in this country. Read

Cairo, Egypt: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt and Save the Children have signed an agreement to grant "UN Volunteers Associate" status to more than 130 employees from companies such as British Petroleum, Barclays, Procter and Gamble, Pepsi and Shell. The new volunteer associates will teach preparatory school students skills to enhance their job opportunities. Read