by Brad Becker

01 September 2006

Volunteer [vol.en.tir, n.] a person who renders aid, performs a service, or assumes an obligation. Any UNV volunteer seems to exceed this definition. He or she is more than a dreamer or altruist. Experienced and able, UNV volunteers willingly immerse themselves in a host of cultures, living conditions and seemingly impossible assignments.

In Aceh and Nias, at least one international or national UNV is present in every UN agency. From Kenya to Australia, Tajikistan to Canada, 15 nationalities have come to offer their expertise. Their skills range from construction engineering and humanitarian affairs to psychology and community development. Here, UNV volunteers encompass duties from strategic planning and research for the Aceh Local Election Support Project (ALES) to the initial establishment and oversight of the UNAIDS Programme in Aceh province.

Deepty Tiwari, an urban planner from India, works with UN Habitat. When deciding to come to Aceh, her friends and family all warned her of what they had heard about Aceh: the conflict with GAM (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, or Independent Aceh Movement), Sharia law, early curfew, possible outbreaks of disease. But she accepted the assignment anyway.

“I came, and found all the rumours to be false,” Deepty says, smiling. Based on her work in disaster risk mitigation in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake in the Indian province of Gujarat, Deepty was eager to look at a preventive approach. “My work in Gujarat was all post-construction. So I was excited about the opportunity to work here in a pre-construction capacity.”

Deepty monitors the Joint UN Programme for UN Habitat. The Joint Programme advises on urban planning, design and recovery issues. It also promotes the participation of stakeholders at the community level. Forums are held at the community, city, and sub-district levels.

Ultimately, the Joint Programme will provide a construction plan for Meuraxa and Nias which will be used as a blueprint for future expansion. Deepty is responsible for updating donors on the programme’s development. To date, UN Habitat has assisted in the construction of 3,450 houses in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Simeulu, Pidie, and Nias.

“Aceh is a wonderful place. The Acehnese are cooperative and participatory and forward-looking. And my job here at UN Habitat is very fulfilling,” Deepty summarizes.

Francesca Campagnoli of Italy also works with UN Habitat as a Data Management Specialist. Francesca first came to Aceh to volunteer for the UPLink organization, part of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights. Working with urban poor rehabilitation in UPLink’s Udeep Beusaree (“Living Together”) programme, a self-help network of 24 post-tsunami villages, she fully integrated into local life, participating in weddings and ceremonies, sporting events and traditional music.

“Village life was so rewarding. I felt like I was adopting a country. I wanted to continue my work here in Aceh, but I couldn’t continue living off my savings,” Francesca said.

The posting with UNV then came up, and soon she found herself at UN Habitat.

Francesca’s background in social housing projects in the USA, UK, and Nicaragua, gave her an understanding of urban poor issues. In Aceh, she was able to supplement her experience with housing policy and evaluation methodologies, and also able to observe different approaches
to construction.

Francesca manages data for UN Habitat’s Policy Unit, which monitors construction projects sponsored by NGOs or other third parties. Monitoring focuses on material and workmanship quality, the number and placement of housing units, and project financial data and
timelines. The unit also looks at the big picture, by inquiring how and if these newly-built communities contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. As part of the team, Francesca organizes public outreach efforts to convey this information.

“With the benefits it offers, the United Nations Volunteers programme gives me a chance to stay longer, to absorb and contribute more to the culture,” Francesca comments.

UNDP’s Emergency Response and Transitional Recovery programme in Aceh and Nias embraces volunteerism as an integral part of recovery efforts. By warmly welcoming more than 60 UNV volunteers, Aceh and Nias have gained a wealth of experience and expertise.

(* Brad Becker is an international UNV volunteer working with UNDP in Aceh as Public Information Assistant.)