Bonn, Germany: Whenever our televisions show distressing scenes of war, famine or disaster, inevitably we ask ourselves: “What can we do to help?” It’s the kind of question that makes us human, and many people do go the extra mile and act. Chances are that these men and women make change happen through their own free will, and without expectation of reward. Chances are that these people are volunteers. Read

Bonn, Germany: When the Libya crisis broke on 16 February 2011, Estella Reed, recruitment professional from the UK, wanted to contribute her time and knowledge to raise awareness of what was going on inside the country. “I have been following the crisis in Libya and was saddened by the suffering that I have seen,” she says. Read

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Two UN Volunteers who had been stationed in Liberia came to help the people of Côte d’Ivoire. Dr. Mahesh Babu Pullukollu and nurse Florence Najula Ojwang had never been in a situation like this before. Read

Dili, Timor-Leste: Last week, the UNV Field Unit welcomed its 20 newest members who reported for their assignments as UNV Electoral Officers and Advisors in the country’s 2012 national elections.

These fast approaching 2012 elections are a vast undertaking, requiring a  great deal of preparation, much of which needs to be done well in  advance. The newly arrived UN Volunteers will be supporting the  electoral process. Read

Oecusse, Timor-Leste: During my six-month stay in Oecusse, Timor-Leste, I travelled to conduct assessment surveys of proposed new polling centres. Due to the frequent rain, most of the polling centres can be reached only by crossing a number of rivers. This is one of the most challenging aspects of my work - the slippery and winding roads and river beds make it dangerous and difficult to drive during rainy season. Read

Abeche, Chad: German Robles Osuna (Mexico) shares his impressions of the closure of the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) in Abeche, Chad. Read

Abeche, Chad: On 30 April 2011, MINURCAT’s Liquidation Phase, begun in January 2011, will end, and its team of national and international staff, which includes 50 UN Volunteers, will be disbanded. Read

Juba, Sudan: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme fielded 213 UN Volunteers with the United Nations Integrated Referendum and Electoral Division (UNIRED), through which the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and UNDP provided assistance with the procurement of ballots and registration kits, voter registration campaigns, logistics, and technical support. Read

Juba, Sudan: The new Deputy Chief of the UNV Peace Division, Moraig Henderson, recently paid a visit to Juba to congratulate UN Volunteers for their support to the Southern Sudan self-determination referendum, a key milestone of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Read

Khartoum and Juba, Sudan: Currently, 214 UN Volunteers from 70 countries are deployed throughout Sudan to directly support the Southern Sudan Referendum. The referendum scheduled for 9 January 2011 gives Southern Sudanese the opportunity to choose between unity with the north or secession. Read