"I come from the same community I serve"

Didier Habimana, UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator, UNHCR Kenya
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The UN is not just buildings and acronyms. It is people. People who care, who listen, who act. My name is Didier Habimana. I serve as a UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Kenya. And I believe that if you bring passion, patience, and persistence, there is space for you here. 

Long before the UN Volunteer role, I was already doing volunteer work. I grew up volunteering—joining community initiatives, working with refugee-led organizations, and offering support where I could. In 2015, I became an interpreter for UNHCR. That experience opened my eyes. I saw what was happening behind the scenes in humanitarian response. I saw how systems worked—and sometimes, how they did not. I saw spaces where I could contribute more meaningfully. 

The way back home to Syria

Yeran Kejijian, UNV Country Coordinator for Lebanon and Syria
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As the world marks World Refugee Day, I find myself reflecting not only as the UNV Country Coordinator for Syria, but as someone whose own story is deeply intertwined with displacement. My grandparents’ journey as refugees shaped my understanding of resilience, and my work—from Lebanon to Syria—has only deepened my commitment to standing in solidarity with those forced to flee. This is more than a professional mission—it’s personal.

The political transition in Syria, which started in December 2024, presents a historic opportunity today—promoting justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace. During my recent mission to Damascus, I couldn’t help but think of the millions of Syrians who crossed in the opposite direction over the last decade, forced to leave their homes in search of safety and dignity. And today, a shift gradually unfolds. Signs of cautious political stability, and with it, new opportunities for return, for recovery, and hope.

What matters most—people, land and future

United Nations Volunteers
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“Volunteering is my way of giving back. It allows me to be a bridge between cultures, people, and knowledge.” says Akinori Miyomoto. While Tharinduni Waththuhewage shares, “Volunteering is about creating space for others to thrive. Every small action matters when it uplifts a community.” And for Sayumi Jayawardene, “Impact isn’t always loud or immediate. It’s in the systems we change and the futures we shape.” These voices echo across Sri Lanka, where UN Volunteers with the United Nations Development Programme's Climate and Environment are not only promoting environmental sustainability but also gender equality. Let's hear more about their volunteer actions.

Fully Funded UN Volunteer from Japan, Akinori Miyamoto, a Project Specialist, connects smallholder farmers to market techniques.

Journey from Kharkiv to Hope

Sofiya Tulkina, UN Volunteer with UNICEF Youth on the Move
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I was born and raised in Kharkiv, Ukraine—a city I loved very much. At 16, my life revolved around school and my passion for archery. But in 2014, everything changed. War crept closer to my home, filling the air with uncertainty and fear. It became clear that it wasn’t safe to stay, so I made the tough call to move to Poland. The hardest part? Leaving behind my anchor—my family. Their support was everything. But suddenly, that support system only existed through a screen. No more warm hugs, no more shared meals, just phone calls and messages that never quite replaced their presence.

When I first arrived in Poland, I felt alone, as if I had stepped into a world where I didn’t belong. The language barrier made everything more difficult—making friends, understanding lessons, and even simple conversations. I was afraid to speak, afraid people would laugh at my mistakes. But when I finally worked up the courage, I was met with kindness. People didn’t mock me; they encouraged me. This gave me the motivation to keep learning, to keep trying, and to believe that I could find my place in this new world. 

Not just speeches and saplings

United Nations Volunteers
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When people think of youth in climate action, the image that often comes to mind is of tree-planting campaigns or passionate speeches on global stages. Rarely do they think of someone like Afryandani Mentari Sidabutar, sitting at her desk, coordinating with ministries, updating documents, and helping ensure meetings run as planned. Her interest in joining as a UN Volunteer grew from her passion for the development sector, especially environmental issues. She has long been involved in volunteering with environment-focused communities, which made this role a natural fit.

Afryandani, known as Afry, is a Project Clerk with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Promise project in Indonesia.

Even though I’m not on the front lines planting trees or delivering speeches, I know that every contribution I make, allows those impactful actions to be fulfilled efficiently.”

Executive Coordinator presents UNV 2024 results to the Executive Board

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Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Administrator at the Executive Board in New York on 5 June 2024. The Executive Board consists of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Distinguished Delegates,

It is always an honour to address the Executive Board. Though I must confess—summarizing the annual report of United Nations Volunteers is a bit like trying to tweet War and Peace. But I will try to do it justice. I also look forward to your guidance and questions from the board members and the observing delegations afterward. 

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