Bonn, Germany: It takes centuries to create a single and unique inch of earth that can disappear with shocking speed," says José Eduardo González Estrella, a national UN Volunteer in Ecuador. Day after day he takes up a trying battle against drought and desertification. Read

Bonn, Germany: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the French water and energy group, SUEZ, today announced the start of their first joint volunteer project to provide technical advice in support of development efforts in Honduras. Read

Bonn, Germany: A UNV Action Team comprised of 15 United Nations Volunteers working in strife-torn Sierra Leone have donated time after hours to deliver safe drinking water to a school for children with polio. Read

Vientiane, Lao PDR: The Nam Ha Ecotourism Project today was awarded the 2001 United Nations Development Award. The National Tourism Authority is the project's primary implementing agency, with technical assistance and monitoring provided by UNESCO. SUNV (joint programme between SNV and UNV) supports the project with advisory services on handicraft production and marketing. Read

New York, USA/Bonn, Germany: Volunteers in 54 developing countries are being recognized today -- World Environment Day -- for their work to protect the environment. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Princess Basma Bint Talal of Jordan and a number of Ministers of Environment in other countries will hand out Certificates of Appreciation to draw attention to volunteer action around the world. Read

"It is most appropriate that on World Environment Day this year, the International Year of Volunteers 2001 (IYV 2001), that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) pays tribute to the individuals who donate their time and expertise to the Small Grants Program National Steering Committees." Read

Bonn, Germany: Two strong earthquakes shook El Salvador in January and February 2001, leaving widespread damage throughout the country. This prompted a call to action for the country's National IVY Committee. Salvadorean UN Volunteer and volunteer promoter, Felix Arevalo, and Spanish UNV Programme Officer Cristina Herrero spearheaded a campaign to mobilize volunteer action in support of those most affected. Read

Bonn, Germany: Start young, stay green. Throughout 2001, volunteer awareness mushroomed through environmental clubs in tropical Guyana. In less than a year, the number of clubs affiliated with the country's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased from 12 to 55. They span the populated coastland of Guyana and large areas of the interior, with such names as Teenage Action Rangers, Kanuku Environmental Warriors and Young Environmentalists. Read

Bonn, Germany: Millions of volunteers in every country of the world read instruments and pass along critical data on local conditions to help track weather patterns each year, noted Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Coordinator of the Bonn-based United Nations Volunteers programme. Read

"Early last year I received a letter from the World Meteorological Organization which came as a surprise--a most pleasant surprise. UNV in its role as focal point for the international year of volunteers, we call it IYV 2001, had called for proposals from UN organizations for marking the year. Much to my astonishment, the most enthusiastic response to the decision of the UN General Assembly to designate 2001 the year of the volunteer, came from WMO." Read