14 October 2006

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. The PM recently awarded select individuals and organizations at a public ceremony here.

The October 2005 earthquake was one of the worst disasters in Pakistan’s history. Towns and villages became graveyards, as thousands of precious lives were lost under the rubble. “It was as if our entire community was swallowed whole by the earth,” remarks Syeda Bibi, a survivor, who lost three children in the tragedy. “They are gone. Everything is destroyed. I am still breathing,” she adds despondently. Many others like her escaped death despite suffering injuries.

The plight of these survivors did not fall on deaf ears as the world united to provide assistance and relief to the affected. Amongst the hundreds of organizations that worked day and night with the government to alleviate the situation was the UNV programme, which commenced its operations in Pakistan in response to the earthquake.

UNV, under the umbrella of UNDP, immediately proposed a Flash Appeal project, which included establishment of a national UNV scheme and deployment of national and international UNV volunteers to UN agencies, government bodies and NGOs. The national UNV scheme – which recruits Pakistani nationals as UNV volunteers serving in Pakistan – did not exist in Pakistan but was successful in other neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia after natural disasters, such as the tsunami in 2004.

At the same time, the government of Pakistan was establishing the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) for mass mobilization of volunteers in an organized manner. In the first meeting with the then State Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Muhammad Ali Durrani the potential of synergy and coordination between UNV and NVM was identified. It was decided that UNDP/UNV would focus its programme on deployment of a fewer number specialists with the expertise to lead and direct young volunteers mobilized by NVM.

UNV sent an international consultant from South Africa in November 2005 to discuss with government officials and prepare an extensive strategic framework, on which NVM would be based. A consultative workshop was held with civil society organizations.

UNDP/UNV has to date maintained its support for NVM by providing professional staff, UNV volunteers, and most recently setting up a training facility. The national UNV scheme is now been operational and 13 international and 32 national UNV volunteers have already been placed in UN agencies, government and NGOs.

“UNV volunteers and the programme is not merely about providing human resources or filling the gap, but in fact assisting and uplifting communities so that people can aspire for a better tomorrow,” says Haoliang Xu, UNDP’s Country Director in Pakistan.

Four UNV Camp Managers now work in residual camps under the district governments and Camp Management Organization (CMO) in Besham, Mansehra and Bagh. An international UNV Reproductive Health Officer is heading the WHO Mansehra office. UNV Logisticians working in WFP, UNHCR and CMO are responsible for ensuring the delivery of food and non-food items to the affected population. These activities are supported by German government’s contributions to the Flash Appeal project.

“This award is a great recognition and motivating factor for all UNVs who have worked selflessly around the clock in Pakistan since the earthquake, without paying heed to the conditions. Some of our international UNV volunteers even left their families behind to help others who desperately needed assistance,” says Naoko Takasu, UNV Programme Officer in Pakistan. “This award belongs to every single UNV who came to Pakistan and left a legacy behind. Their strength and dedication is commendable.”