Page 107 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

Agriculture Climate resilience Food security Forestry Emergency Education Animal farming and livestock

Seunghyo Park

RESPONDING TO THE DZUD IN MONGOLIA

I worked at FAO Mongolia as a UN Volunteer Research Assistant. I
assisted with various research projects on climate change trends and
food security issues in different parts of Mongolia.

One of the activities I participated in was the dzud response, a severe
winter disaster. This was in response to emergency needs in the
disaster-affected areas of Mongolia. I helped package animal welfare
kits that consisted of multivitamins, minerals, fodder crops and other
supplements needed for animals. 103

One of the best experiences of working at FAO was interacting with local
communities. During a field visit, I was able to understand what was
most needed in the affected rural areas to address livestock challenges.
I also gave a presentation to university students on FAO’s activities in
Mongolia and my experience as a UN Volunteer. I was glad to see their
interest in volunteering.

Back in my university days, I did not clearly understand what
volunteerism meant. Through UNV, I learned it is not just about serving
others but about becoming a part of the community.

Seunghyo Park, UN Volunteer Research Assistant with FAO I am grateful for this experience—and my time in Mongolia’s vast steppe
Mongolia, supported dzud response in disaster-affected areas. under its clear blue sky—, it helped me grow into a more open and
[FAO, 2016]
positive person.