United Nations Volunteers
April 9, 2025
Six stories celebrating six regions around the world through volunteering. Three of them spotlight World Health Day this week⚕️Read and share!
Going beyond short-term health solutions in West Africa
Championing the health of our future generation are UN Volunteers, Alec Mkwamba and Milamedinar Dias Vaz in Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe. Through their assignments, Alec and Milamedinar make sure communities have electronic health records and get health training so everyone across the board can benefit and receive life-saving care. Read the full story.
Is good health merely an absence of disease?
UN Volunteers in Tajikistan with the World Health Organization promote good health and well-being while posing the questions: Is good health merely an absence of disease or is it a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being? Read the photo story.
Africa Women Health Champions
Started in 2020, African Women Health Champions initiative spanned over two phases under a partnership of WHO African Regional Office and UN Volunteers. More than 145 young African women from 38 nationalities served as UN Volunteer health champions in public health roles across the continent. See the photo story.
We are all part of the same global family—a blog from Iran
Golazin Hemmaty, UN Volunteer with UNICEF in Iran, says that we are all part of the global family, and by helping each other, we make our communities stronger and more resilient. She believes there is no action too small to make a difference. The only important thing is our collective efforts for a better future for everyone, everywhere. Read her blog.
Always a UN Volunteer at heart—a blog by Ambassador of Canada to the UN
Reflecting on his UNV to Ambassador of Canada and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, it’s the fieldwork that is cherished most by Michael Gort, a former UN Volunteer. In his blog, he says these experiences—both the successes and the struggles—shaped me into the diplomat I am today. Read the full story.
UN Volunteer in Gaza recounts as the ceasefire ends
After enduring 15 months of relentless violence, devastation, and loss of life, the people of the Gaza Strip finally saw a glimmer of hope with the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19, 2025. Among those returning to the remnants of their homes in northern Gaza were UN Volunteer Asmaa Ma’rouf and her children, who documented the journey back home, sharing reflections along the way. The ceasefire was still in effect at that time. Read the story.
