19 January 2006

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.

Through this scheme, UN Volunteers will join activities led by national and international organizations in earthquake-affected areas and assist in other development initiatives throughout Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan on 22 December 2005 approved the UNDP/UNV project titled "Support to Volunteerism Initiatives in Pakistan", including the establishment of a National UNV scheme. The project has two components: to support the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) that was launched last November as part of the Pakistani President and Prime Minister’s initiative for disaster relief and to deploy UN Volunteers in earthquake-affected areas in the first year and in other development areas thereafter.

The National UNV scheme will support and complement the NVM, especially at the initial stage, by mobilizing Pakistani UN Volunteers with skills and expertise in institutional development, disaster relief and rehabilitation to help manage the movement, coordinate field activities and train NVM volunteers.

Pakistanis interested in becoming a UN Volunteer should register with the UNV Roster at www.undp.org.pk/unv. The National UNV scheme encourages applications from Pakistanis with academic credentials (preferably a master’s degree), a minimum of three to five years of relevant work experience following academic qualifications, a minimum 25 years of age, good communication skills, and the spirit of volunteerism. Government agencies, civil society organizations, or UN agencies interested in mobilizing National UN Volunteers are encouraged to contact UNV Pakistan for more information.

While the National UNV scheme is operating in more than 50 countries, including South Asian countries, this is a first for Pakistan. It is hoped that through this scheme qualified Pakistanis will be able to contribute to various development causes and ensure that strengthened human resources remain in the country.

The launch of the National UNV scheme is a follow up activity stemming from the International Conference on Volunteerism and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) hosted by the Government of Pakistan in Islamabad in December 2004.