Two years into the war in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and nearly the entire population displaced, the world has grown weary. But not the volunteers. 

They remain.

Since the war started on 7 October 2023, 65 UN Volunteers and 75 Online Volunteers have served with the Gaza emergency response. As World Mental Health Day approaches, we reflect not only on the profound toll of these past two years on civilians, but also on the volunteers who have stood steadfast in their service. 

It was a Saturday morning, the 15th of April 2023. A day that began like any other in Khartoum. My son along with his cousins went to university. Soon after, my phone rang. My son’s voice was shaking: “Mama, RSF is coming to the university parking lot. Students are running, they’re terrified. Should I go back and take the car?” In that instant, my heart froze. I told him, “No. Leave the car. Stay with your cousins. Just get to safety.” That was the moment the war began for me and for millions of Sudanese families. None of us expected it to last this long. Many thought it was just another coup. But it became something far darker, displacing millions and devastating a country already on its knees.

The war in Gaza sees a breakthrough: a ceasefire after two years. But the streets still tell a different story—blocked by debris, weighed down by loss. From February to August, a team of five UN Volunteers stepped in alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People to work on the ground in Gaza. Joined by 61 Online Volunteers from 35 countries, they were part of debris management with a mission to clear rubble—each stone lifted, a step towards Gaza's recovery.

On International Translation Day, we look at the role of translators and editors who shape volunteer stories—from Africa to Asia to Europe and Latin America. Beyond linguistic accuracy, they are entrusted with preserving the soul of a story. When acts of service are rooted in cultural values, literal translation can dilute meaning. Word-for-word translation is rarely effective. Grammar, expressions, and sentence structures vary, so translators must reshape language while preserving the original’s authenticity. This work demands sensitivity, cultural understanding, and ethical responsibility. 

At every step, we must ask: Does this translation honour the intent and emotion of the original thought? 

Northwest Nigeria is experiencing intersecting challenges including violence, climate-related disruptions, and economic instability. These factors have affected family structures and reduced confidence in local institutions. Armed groups have interfered with daily activities, contributing to a humanitarian crisis. Yet amidst these challenges, volunteers are stepping up—not as outsiders, but as insiders—to make change possible. Dennis Bwala and Adamu Garba share how they are helping rebuild trust and strengthen the communities they call home.

“What people believe shapes how they vote, how they trust, and how they live together,” says Sagar from Sierra Leone. He is one of 47 UN Volunteers in West and Central Africa supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the UN’s instrument for providing rapid, flexible support to countries emerging from conflict or facing fragility. Peace doesn’t always begin with treaties or declarations. In fragile contexts, it often starts quietly—with reliable voices on the airwaves—a training where women speak freely, or a story shared online that reflects a community’s hope. All you have to do is listen!

Across the Global South, countries are sharing ideas, solving problems together, and building a better future. At the heart of this movement is the Global South-South Development Center (GSSDC)—a dynamic hub for innovation and partnership, powered by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the Government of China. The GSSDC taps into China’s network of 50 technical institutions, making it a hotspot for collaboration, and that's where UN Volunteers—Jialin Zhang and Jingchuan Alex Mu—step in.