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
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
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
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
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
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.
No red carpets, no smooth paths, just purpose—a blog from Yemen
In June 2018, I stepped once again through the doors of the United Nations Development Programme building in Sana’a. It wasn’t unfamiliar territory—this marked my fifth role there since 2002. But something about this return felt different.
“You’ll be hired when a project is born, and released when it ends." Words of my professor from the University of Bradford are etched in my mind from a couple of decades ago. A thought that has stayed with me ever since. Over the years, I moved between roles at United Nations entities, international organizations, and Islamic Relief—always ready for new beginnings. Between 2002 and 2012, I worked in areas related to reducing poverty, empowering youth, and advancing governance-related programmes. By the end of that decade, I thought I had seen it all.