World Humanitarian Summit: a UN Volunteer’s perspective

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To inform the future of humanitarian action, the UN Secretary General convened the World Humanitarian Summit on 23 and 24 May 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. In attendance at the summit were representatives of 173 UN member states, heads of states and governments, private sector, NGOs, and civil society organizations representatives.


Istanbul, Turkey:  To inform the future of humanitarian action, the UN Secretary General convened the World Humanitarian Summit on 23 and 24 May 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. In attendance at the summit were representatives of 173 UN member states, heads of states and governments, private sector, NGOs, and civil society organizations representatives.

Ebola prevention on the ground

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Armed with a projector and a laptop, I organized endless Ebola prevention training sessions section by section for the peacekeeping personnel and other UNMIL staff. Anti-Ebola posters were handed out to attendees, and I made sure all anti-Ebola UNMIL directives were strongly enforced on the ground.

Monrovia, Liberia:  As a UN Volunteer Medical Doctor with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), my work involves providing clinical healthcare to all UN national and international staff members, as well as to the UN peacekeeping uniformed personnel.

Assistance in the midst of the refugee crisis

Mohhamed Thabit Mohhamed
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I am serving as a UN Volunteer Interpreter with UNHCR at the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) in Greece, where I provide interpretation services for an increasing number of people every week. By assisting refugees in their communication with Greek officials, I help people understand what their options and their rights are. I feel confident that my work here in Greece will help reduce the suffering of the asylum seekers and give them hope for their future.

Thessaloniki, Greece: People from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries in the region are fleeing war and desperate situations in their home countries, and making their way to Europe in search of safety. Many of these people now remain in refugee camps in Greece, where they live in very difficult conditions.

Bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas

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While serving as a UN Volunteer Finance Officer with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Guatemala, I had the opportunity to participate in pilot projects in the area of Finance. The whole financial framework of the WFP is in a process of transition towards higher transparency, cost efficiency and accountability. I was excited to contribute to this transformation.

Guatemala city, Guatemala: While serving as a UN Volunteer Finance Officer with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Guatemala, I had the opportunity to participate in pilot projects in the area of Finance. The whole financial framework of the WFP is in a process of transition towards higher transparency, cost efficiency and accountability. I was excited to contribute to this transformation.

Safety of UN Volunteers in South Sudan amidst fighting

Bonn, Germany
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Between Friday 8 July and Sunday 10 July, heavy fighting broke out in Juba which had consequences for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Agencies, Funds and Programmes active in the country.

A ceasefire was declared on Monday 11 July 2016. At least 272 people have been killed in the recent violence. Two peacekeepers and one United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) staff lost their lives while several other peacekeepers have sustained injuries. 

Safety of UN Volunteers in South Sudan amidst fighting

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Between Friday 8 July and Sunday 10 July, heavy fighting broke out in Juba which had consequences for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Agencies, Funds and Programmes active in the country.

A ceasefire was declared on Monday 11 July 2016. At least 272 people have been killed in the recent violence. Two peacekeepers and one United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) staff lost their lives while several other peacekeepers have sustained injuries. 

UNV launches revamped Online Volunteering service

Bonn, Germany
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On 15 July, UNV will be launching its new Online Volunteering service from Brazil and in collaboration with the United Nations country team and the Samsung Latin American Office.
Brazil has been selected as the location for the global launch as the country ranks #4 worldwide for the number of UN Online Volunteers and has a high potential for growth in online volunteering activities in general.

UNV Honorary Ambassador Mr. Takehito Nakata (in memoriam)

Japan
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From 1993 to 2006, Mr Takehito Nakata served as UNV’s one and only Honorary Ambassador, in honour of his son, Atsuhito Nakata, who was tragically killed while serving as UN Volunteer Electoral Supervisor for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1993. Mr. Nakata dedicated his time to the promotion of volunteerism in Japan. He undertook numerous keynote speeches, lectures and interviews with the aim of increasing UNV’s visibility and promoting volunteerism. His official missions and in-country activities were financed by the Japan Trust Fund.

UNV Honorary Ambassador Mr. Takehito Nakata (in memoriam)

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From 1993 to 2006, Mr Takehito Nakata served as UNV’s one and only Honorary Ambassador, in honour of his son, Atsuhito Nakata, who was tragically killed while serving as UN Volunteer Electoral Supervisor for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1993. Mr. Nakata dedicated his time to the promotion of volunteerism in Japan. He undertook numerous keynote speeches, lectures and interviews with the aim of increasing UNV’s visibility and promoting volunteerism. His official missions and in-country activities were financed by the Japan Trust Fund.

Volunteer network created to promote social participation and solidarity

Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Minas Gerais, Brazil: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Brazil and the State of Minas Gerais, through the Department of Human Rights, Social Participation and Citizenship, have signed an agreement to establish a Volunteer Network in Minas Gerais.

The project seeks to promote the creation, structuring and implementation of a Volunteer Network in Minas Gerais, through the joint action of partner institutions, in order to contribute to the promotion of social participation and collective solidarity for local transformation.

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