Banda Aceh, Indonesia: Norimasa Tochibayashi arrived in Indonesia on February 23, 2005. He had no job, no idea where he was heading and how he could help, and no contact numbers of people who would be willing to support him. He was only certain of one thing: he wanted to help those who most needed it after the December 26 tsunami. Read

Bonn, Germany: Every day, countless citizens volunteer their time, energy and skills in response to crises or people in need. International Volunteer Day (IVD) was instituted to make visible and recognize the contribution of these unknown heroes, who, by their engagement, bring their countries one step closer to the Millennium Development Goals. Read

Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme today launched a new initiative to set in motion the establishment of a volunteer infrastructure to position volunteerism as a contributor to the country’s development agenda. Read

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Youth from different communities and backgrounds in Sri Lanka are taking part in a three-day sports camp this week to boost awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and foster cultural dialogue. 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

Bonn, Germany: A new agreement signed earlier this week between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will help coastal communities in Sri Lanka get back on track from the devastating impact of the 26 December tsunamis. Read

Bonn, Germany: Less than two weeks since tsunamis struck on 26 December, the support of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and presence of UN Volunteers continues to mount in the devastated countries in the Indian Ocean region. Read

Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health has realized that billions of rupees are wasted each year on improper drug management. This financial loss is due in part to limited monitoring facilities resulting in an inability to manage how drugs are distributed and used.  Here's where Aung Myo Htet, from Myanmar, a UN Volunteer comes in. Read

Bonn, Germany: On 20 June, UNDP Sri Lanka bade farewell to the team of Indian UN Volunteers who assisted the Government of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the worst floods experienced by the country in over 50 years. Read

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Eight national UN Volunteers from India joined relief operations in southern Sri Lanka just days after unprecedented floods and landslides claimed over 260 lives in the country’s worst disaster in 50 years. Read