Shamsu Makanda

Clinical Social Work , Public Health & its setting.

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Whether
🔵responding to natural disasters,
🟠supporting communities in conflict,
🟡or helping rebuild after hardship,

#UNVolunteers are there, working alongside communities every step of the way.

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Advancing the #SDGs requires coordination, partnerships, and people.

In 🇲🇬, Prisca Randrianatoandro, Client Engagement Assistant supported a reforestation drive that brought 300 citizens together to plant trees, and strengthen a culture of volunteerism.

#IVY2026

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

The world is ageing.

It’s time to recognize the power of volunteering later in life.

Research by UNV and @ILO shows how older volunteers shape our world and why their role is so vital in ageing societies 👇🏽 @ILO_EMP_Policy https://t.co/3xX7LN1MJK

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Humanity thrives when everyone can contribute to science and shape our world🔬

Volunteering helps open access and build skills for more people, including women professionals like Elizabeth Naibor, UN Volunteer Information Systems Specialist at @UNEP.

#WomenInScience

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Every second, someone volunteers somewhere around the world.

But how do we value #volunteer efforts? The Global Index of Volunteer Engagement (GIVE) in the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report by @UNVolunteers provides a framework.

More > https://t.co/hBeIXQMbI5

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

"Under the previous Strategic Framework, UNV focused on scale & achieved it. Under the new Framework, the defining word is consolidation.

Grounded in its core mandate, UNV will adapt to the evolving needs of the @UN system & introduce more flexible categories." @ToilyKurbanov

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

"This Strategic Framework is about people—people who arrive before others do, and who remain long after the headlines fade.

People who are not merely the extra hands of the United Nations, but often its first presence—and its last remaining one." @ToilyKurbanov at #UNDPEB

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

We are bold.
We are selfless.
We refuse indifference and division.
We choose action over apathy, humanity over hate.

We are #volunteers.
We'll not stop.

#UNDPEB

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

As a child, Jonathan fell ill and was left with a disability. He was supported by volunteers to heal.

Today, he volunteers for @VnuMadagascar. His assignment was initially funded by Germany🇩🇪

'Together, we can make a difference,' he says.
🔗https://t.co/B33Du438iI

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

In 2025, to mark #16Days, @unwomenkenya & @UNVolunteers deployed 3⃣0⃣+ @AGCCIAfrica alumni as Community UN volunteers across 10 counties in🇰🇪.

They mobilised communities, raised awareness, and strengthened GBV response pathways.

Watch more📽️https://t.co/9YdQc7spSI

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Q: What do @UNVolunteers do?

A: Quite a lot. But a good summary is that they connect people with the @UN to deliver on the @GlobalGoalsUN and create a better world.

Read their stories here 》https://t.co/uEQmgHdfsU

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Volunteers are everywhere.
But how do we measure their impact?

The 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report by @UNVolunteers dives into the data behind volunteerism in the 21st century.

》https://t.co/xvta4oFybd

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

We caught up with @amssalu_taye, the Deputy Rep @UNDPLesotho.

Reflecting on his journey as a UN Volunteer, he says, "that was one of the most rewarding professional careers I've had."

His story proves that volunteerism is a powerful way of building local capacities.

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

What does community action look like in practice?

During the #16DaysOfActivism, UN Community Volunteers across East & Southern Africa worked with partners to raise awareness, spark dialogues, and confront digital violence against women and girls.

👉🔗https://t.co/lzfHZmFrRR

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

Do your dreams often feel too big?

Mwaka Mukweli, UN Volunteer with @UNDPNamibia felt the same. She lost her sight at 25. But she fought through odds to become a disability advocate at the @UN.

Her powerful story > https://t.co/aWXExBKaJl
#WomenInMultilateralism

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

From #Timbuktu, Mali🇲🇱 to the mountains in #Lesotho🇱🇸, see how @UNVolunteers work alongside @UNICEF, #ForEveryChild.

➡️https://t.co/Q4vAfGrakW

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

@UNDPMauritius Angel is passionate about Africa’s digital transformation. From working in agri-tech in #Rwanda to studying computing in #Mauritius, her path took an unexpected turn.

“I never thought I could work in health.”

Today, she’s serves as E-Health IT Assistant at @UNDPMauritius.

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

🌍 Small island countries like #Mauritius and #Seychelles face many challenges. Volunteer action is crucial here.

Meet UN Volunteers serving with @UNDPMauritius to improve access to digital health services.

👉https://t.co/UvwFhfjhAx

#HealthForAll

[UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa @UNV_ESARO]

UNV’s new Strategic Framework (2026–2029) comes at a crucial time. 2026 is the International #VolunteerYear and the final lap toward the 2030 @GlobalGoalsUN.

The new Framework puts #volunteers at the heart of expanding solutions and driving progress.

[UN Volunteers Kenya @UNVKenya]

🤔 How well do you know the history of International #VolunteerYear?

When was the LAST official International Year of Volunteers?

📅 1991
📅 2020
📅 2011
✅ Every year is a year of volunteers.

Need a hint? 🔗
https://t.co/qxJp9oUeNQ