Published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the report "Taking volunteers seriously", provides a picture of development in volunteering since 1999. 

UNV and IFRC has long been working together to promote volunteerism for development. The report says that the partnership between the International Federation and UNV has greatly contributed to the revalidation of volunteering and to concerted efforts to foster an environment that enables and optimizes the full potential of volunteering. Read

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Shahida Akhter, a former national UNV volunteer in Bangladesh recounts how she helped victims of the devastating cyclone SIDR and urges other organizations and volunteers for assistance. Read

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

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

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

Bonn, Germany: Former US President Bill Clinton, in his capacity as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, met today with Ad de Raad, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme Executive Coordinator, during an international conference on early warning, in Bonn, Germany. 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