UN celebrates 11,000 volunteers, 200 PWDs serving to rebuild communities

As the world marks International Volunteer Day (IVD) for Economic and Social Development today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called on the global community to work together to tackle the common challenge of poverty.

In a statement, yesterday, UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, while acknowledging the role volunteers play in the world, said over one billion volunteers work in service to their communities every day.

He said: “It is one of the clearest expressions of solidarity, a recognition that our global community must work together to tackle our common challenges as outlined in the Global Goals: everything from driving down poverty to confronting climate change.

“So far, in 2022, over 11,000 UN Volunteers have served with over 56 UN entities, as part of the UN Volunteers programme, which we are proudly hosting in UNDP. Ranging from 18 to 81 years of age, this is the largest number of UN Volunteers ever.

“That includes volunteers who are supporting communities to rebuild after the devastating floods in Pakistan, helping to deliver essential services, such as healthcare to communities impacted by the war in Ukraine or looking to Afghanistan, where volunteers are right now advancing peace building efforts.

“Advancing gender equality and inclusion is a defining feature of UN Volunteers. For instance, this year, nearly 200 UN Volunteers with disabilities are offering their skills and expertise to 22 UN agencies.

“As we mark International Volunteer Day, we recognise the life-changing impact volunteers are making to millions of people every day for their extraordinary contributions to key areas, like peace, development, and humanitarian assistance. They are not only building a better world for tomorrow, working in solidarity with communities, they are building a better world today.”

The Volunteer Day was mandated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1985, offering an opportunity for volunteer-involving organisations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

The theme for IVD 2022, ‘Solidarity Through Volunteering,’ highlights the power of a collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism.