UN Volunteers provide food security in Lebanon

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As Lebanon faces the most intense hostilities since the 2006 war, over one million people have been displaced, 90% in the past week, according to national authorities. In response, the World Food Programme (WFP) in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, is providing emergency cash assistance to nearly 10,000 affected households in in Southern Lebanon. Since the outbreak of tensions in the region nearly a year ago, UN Volunteers Laila Hojeij, Maya Hamd, Reem Al Sarih, and Zeina Abbas have been working tirelessly with WFP to ensure vulnerable communities, including displaced people, receive the food and nutritional support they urgently need.

As Data Entry Assistant, Reem’s role involves managing grievances under the Emergency Social Safety Net program. She diligently addresses beneficiary grievances and ensures timely resolutions. “I work with various types of data related to grievances, cash assistance distributions, and beneficiary feedback. This data is used to identify trends, monitor program effectiveness, and inform decision-making processes,” notes Reem.

UN Volunteers lead nutritional resilience in Tunisia

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In Tunisia, climate change and economic challenges put a strain on communities’ livelihoods. Yet, behind the scenes, the dedicated efforts of individuals like UN Volunteers Wafa Hmadi and Takwa Khelifi serving with the World Food Programme  (WFP) in Tunisia, drives impactful change. From developing innovative climate adaptation projects to producing engaging public campaigns, these volunteers are not only supporting WFP’s mission. They also inspire a future where nutritious food and sustainable livelihoods are within everyone’s reach.

As a Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Program Associate, Wafa has been a driving force behind resilience-building efforts, helping at-risk communities prepare for and adapt to future challenges. “I have provided technical support and assisted in the development of various activities and processes of adaptation fund project submission, including emergency preparedness and response, resilience, and climate change adaptation, ensuring alignment with wider Program policies and guidelines,” she explained.

UNV highlights volunteerism progress at CICA Youth Council Rally in Kazakhstan

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The event brings together 19 international delegations to exchange ideas and best practices in volunteerism across the region. 

On not giving up and keeping your voice raised

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I am Dorice Mkiva, UN Volunteer Knowledge Management Officer with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Dar e Salaam, Tanzania. My inspiration comes from never giving up and that's the message I give to everyone—fight for your dreams.

In a society that often lacks trust in young people, it’s much worse for young persons with disabilities. I have a physical disability since I was three years old and started using crutches to walk at the age of twelve.

"We don’t need a hero, we need all of us, standing together"

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I am Shriya Sundaram, UN Volunteer Partnerships Coordinator for the United Nations Capital Development Fund’s Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme in Fiji. I believe that the greatest threat to our planet is the assumption that someone else will save it. 

Imagine a mother holding her newborn, dreaming of a safe, bright future. Now picture that same mother on a Pacific Island, watching as the rising sea swallows her home. Or in an Indian city, where pollution clouds her child’s future. 

Though worlds apart, these places share a common plea to future generations—to leave the world better than we found it. 

COP 16 and the spirit of volunteering in Colombia

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UNV has partnered with the Mayor’s Office in Cali, the host city of the event, to implement a strategy to mobilize volunteers for the event.  

More than 1,200 people joined the training sessions in September to learn about how to volunteer for COP 16 and key topics such as biodiversity and sustainable development. Approximately 850 people will be selected to volunteer at this major event." Sandra Lino, UN Expert Volunteer for COP 16 volunteer mobilization. 

Beyond bullets and ballots to peace

Nuwan Uddika Liyanage, UN Volunteer Human Rights Officer with UNMISS
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"Achieving peace and development requires strong community connections and local capacities," shares Nuwan Uddika Liyanage, UN Volunteer Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). To take this further, he initiated a project called, 'Beyond Bullets and Ballots: Standing Against Sexualized Election Violence' that addresses challenges faced by vulnerable communities during local elections. Let's hear from Nuwan Uddika. 

I am based with UNMISS in the Malakal Field Office and responsible for implementing the Beyond Bullets and Ballots project. I believe that when we give the relevant knowledge and tools to communities, we promote a self-reliant society. Building strong community ties is the most important building block here and of course, complementing that with policies that are community friendly.

The project is a step in the right direction. It brings together the local government officials, electoral officers, police, military personnel, and members of civil society.

Voices that matter for democracy in Côte d'Ivoire

United Nations Volunteers
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Jean-Martial Konan and Auguste Dimitri Goubo are UN Volunteers with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Côte d'Ivoire. They support the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development by working on the ground with local communities and raising awareness of democratic values and freedom of expression. On International Day of Peace, we look at how volunteering supports people in communities.

Jean-Martial Konan is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist who assists development projects. In his role, he brings together local governments and communities in Regional Monitoring Committees in the north of the country. Jean-Martial calls on young people and women to come up with solutions and prevent crises. The development projects he supports reached over 750 people, of whom 66 percent are women. 

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