Despite efforts worldwide, COVID-19 continues to advance and has now affected over 775,000 people in 178 countries. Additionally, the level of vulnerability of low-income people and countries has increased. In Peru, about 70 per cent of the economically active population belongs to the informal sector and is not covered by the social protection system. They are the ones who most suffer due to the crisis, along with older adults and people with chronic diseases.

The Coronavirus global health emergency is challenging the world, and each of us. For UN Volunteers, while we must prioritize security and safety for ourselves and our loved ones, it is also critical that we continue to do our best to support the important work we are doing with our partner agencies and the countries we serve. At UNV in Bonn and in our regional and country offices, we are working around the clock to provide UN Volunteers and host entities with support and solutions when challenges arise.

For Seulbee Lee (Republic of Korea), volunteering with UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Child Protection Associate, children’s rights have been always her prime interest. Despite COVID-19 changing her working reality and conditions, this has not diminished her professional engagement in response and recovery, nor her motivation to carry on. Seulbee's volunteer assignment is fully funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and here, she shares her story.

This year, World Health Day arrives as healthcare systems across the globe are facing the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 outbreak. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where the pandemic continues to threaten vulnerable populations in countries with fragile health systems while putting strain on even those with stronger health systems, World Health Organization (WHO) says the window of opportunity is still there but slowly closing day by day.

Over the last few months, the Coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, has emerged as the defining global health crisis of our time. COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on almost all countries across the world, spreading exponentially like a wave. But COVID-19 is much more than a health crisis. The pandemic has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political crises with far reaching consequences. As COVID19 cases accelerate in Africa, the United Nations has stepped up joint response efforts.

Annet Nakaliti is a national UN Volunteer serving with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Uganda. She is supporting her agency as the Innovator in Mobile Health in order to produce creative ideas to ensure access to sexual reproductive health. She shared why she believes accelerating mobile health innovation can help tackle COVID-19 in Africa.

This year, the year of the Nurse and Midwife - on World Health Day, we celebrate the work of these professionals, reminding world leaders of the critical role they play in people’s lives. To mark the day, UN Volunteer Sitara Khatiwada, from Nepal, shares her passion and dedication to strengthening the capacities of midwives serving low-income communities in Bangladesh.

Five years ago, the Government of Ukraine launched challenging and crucial anti-corruption reforms of the healthcare system, with procurement as one of the most important measures.  As an interim solution, the Government called on international organizations in support of building a new procurement system. National and International UN Volunteers Specialists actively assisted in this new healthcare reform. 

Volunteer work is key in helping adolescents to understand that this world can be more supportive than it may seem, especially in times of crisis. UN Volunteer Polina Lipostad (Russian Federation) serves with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Moldova, and reaches out to vulnerable young people to promote health and wellbeing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.