When Pakistan was shaken by a massive earthquake on 8 October 2005, a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions unfolded:  towns and villages became graveyards as thousands of lives were buried under the rubble.  “It was as if our entire community was swallowed whole by the earth,” said Syeda Bibi, a survivor who lost three children in the tragedy. “They are gone. Everything is destroyed. I am still breathing”. Read

Quetta, Pakistan: As a UNV volunteer working in a refugee camp in Quetta, Pakistan, Lynda Lim tries to encourage women to speak up, provide protection and ensure their basic rights are met. And this Malaysian lady "never gives up." Read

Islamabad, Pakistan: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have received a shield of commendation from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in recognition of their outstanding and meritorious services in earthquake-affected areas. Read

Mansehra, Pakistan: Young Pakistani volunteers, led by UNV volunteer Hafeez Lashari, help communities rebuild life after last year’s devastating earthquake. Read

Islamabad, Pakistan: The newly launched National United Nations Volunteers (UNV) scheme in Pakistan will help maintain the momentum of support following the 8 October 2005 earthquake, according to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. 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

Lahore, Pakistan: Volunteering becomes even more meaningful and amazing when a full-time mother from a developing country like Pakistan decides to make a difference by using a computer while sitting at home. Amera Salman Yunus, a mother of three who lives in Lahore, is such an example. In an e-mail interview, Amera explains her experience as an online volunteer and the contribution she has been making towards the achievement of the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs). Read

Islamabad, Pakistan/Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme are committed to supporting Pakistan in implementing its National Volunteer Movement (NVM), an initiative launched on 1 November to respond to the massive relief and reconstruction effort in quake-devastated areas of Pakistan. Read

Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is mobilizing Pakistani and international UN Volunteers to support relief activities following the 8 October earthquake that devastated northern Pakistan. Read