"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, and do without"

United Nations Volunteers
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Efforts matter. Actions, no matter how small, count. A message from Khalid Badr, who is making the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) greener. How does he do that?  By improving how waste is managed in UN compounds. In Afghanistan, where conflict and climate change threaten already fragile ecosystems, sustainable solutions are urgently needed. Since March 2022, Khalid, an Environmental Engineer from Sudan and UN Volunteer with UNAMA has been working towards reducing the mission’s environmental footprint. 

Khalid's efforts align with global best practices and support the Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 15 on protecting life on land. 

In his volunteer assignment as an Environmental Officer, he has successfully included sustainability into the culture at UNAMA—treating it not just as a target, but as a way of thinking. 

When crisis calls, who do you call?

United Nations Volunteers
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When war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, it didn’t just affect one nation—it disrupted lives across the region. As thousands fled to safety, neighbouring countries became lifelines for those seeking shelter, support, and hope. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) has been on the frontlines of the UN’s emergency response—both inside the country and across the region. Mobilizing volunteers fast, from Moldova to Poland, Romania to Slovakia, and Czechia to Bulgaria, delivering aid, supporting logistics, and sharing expertise across 12 countries. We spotlight three of these volunteers who joined the UN efforts thanks to the Special Voluntary Fund (SVF).

Before volunteering with the UN, Pavlo Tishkov crunched numbers at the National Bank of Ukraine. But when war broke out, spreadsheets weren’t enough—he wanted to make a real difference.

Carving roads through mud—worth every step

Alana Foley Pradhan, Knowledge Management Officer, UN Women Liberia
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The first time I found myself stuck on a red dirt road in rural Liberia, our car had sunk deep into the mud, and the sun was setting. No phone signal. No light. No nearby village. Just miles of rough road behind us—and ahead. When we eventually made it to Zwedru—a place often left off the map and usually unreachable, the lights were off, and there was no water. In that very moment, it seemed as if I had circled back to my childhood in Nepal—when we faced power outages and struggled with access to basic resources. But this time, it was different. I was in Liberia as a UN Volunteer working with UN Women.

Raised between Kathmandu and Dublin, and half Irish, half Nepali, I am shaped by two vibrant cultures on opposite ends of the world. That dual experience frames my perspective: I’ve seen the glaring inequalities that exist, but also the resilience of communities facing them.

Breaking new ground: United Nations Volunteers and University of Pretoria set to launch first-ever Global Volunteer Index

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This first-of-its-kind tool is designed to systematically measure and spotlight the contributions of volunteers to sustainable development worldwide.

The Global Volunteer Index is set to become a game-changer—giving  governments and development partners insights to tap into the full potential of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Holding the line in the sands of Western Sahara

United Nations Volunteers
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In the windswept sands of Western Sahara, where the land is unforgiving and the heat relentless, UN Volunteers are quietly making peace possible. They work with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Things get tough out here—but the work doesn’t stop. These volunteers keep going, meeting urgent needs and holding the line on peace and humanitarian work.

Douglas Mikioo, UN Volunteer Engineering Assistant and Plant Equipment Operator

For Douglas, peace starts with pipes, concrete, and clean water. His day begins at a desk—signing off on supply requests. But it quickly shifts to the field, where he makes sure water flows across the base and building materials reach remote teams. "My various roles are part of moving forward with peace, step by step." 

Jean Bavuge, Water and Sanitation Technician

On Peacekeepers’ Day, spotlight shifts to peace and the future of UN missions

United Nations Volunteers
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Conflict. Hunger. Displacement. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies. The United Nations is on the ground—and with them are UN Volunteers: supporting peacekeepers, keeping essential services running, and standing with communities in crisis. On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we honour the volunteers who work in peacekeeping missions. As funding challenges grow, UN Volunteers stand with the blue helmets on the frontlines, keeping hope alive and peace in motion.

In early 2024, as violence escalated near Goma, dozens of civilians and soldiers found refuge in UN compounds. Supporting them, Souleymane Diallo, UN Volunteer Legal Adviser from Burkina Faso with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). He quickly helped organize a response. Drawing on his legal training, he and his team created a simple code of conduct for the shelter sites and translated it into French and Swahili so everyone could understand it. 

Every piece for peace in South Sudan

United Nations Volunteers in East and Southern Africa
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When Prakriti G.C left Nepal for a volunteer assignment in South Sudan, she never imagined she’d be working with ammunition. But over time, her role has become a quiet yet essential part of peacekeeping. It doesn’t make headlines, but it requires precision, responsibility, and trust. Prakriti makes sure that every piece of ammunition is stored safely and tracked accurately. Her work may be behind the scenes, but it plays a powerful role in building peace—one piece at a time.

In a country still healing from years of conflict, safety is fragile. Communities are rebuilding, and peacekeeping operations are a necessity. That’s where Prakriti comes in. 

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