Jason Brunick, Regional Director of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme in Arab States, highlighted that the UAE is a crucial regional partner of the programme, playing an elementary role in supporting and assisting volunteers in a bid to encourage the culture of volunteering.

Speaking to Al-Ittihad newspaper in an exclusive interview, Brunick noted that COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of volunteering to assist world governments in addressing the crisis. He noted that a large number of volunteers are currently working at the frontline of COVID-19 fight in hospitals and affected regions in a bid to distribute necessary medical and food aid to those in need.

He added that volunteers are the first people who proactively respond to any crisis or emergencies. They lead the fight against crises and disasters as they demonstrated the significance of volunteering in assisting the government combat the pandemic in recent months. They are working at the frontline in hospitals and quarantine centres among other sectors including awareness campaigns, psychological support sessions and skills development activities.

Brunick underlined that the UNV Programme has deployed qualified volunteers who were registered in the database of the United Nations (UN). They are working in cooperation with relevant governments and civil organisations across key areas of public health, monitoring, communication, informational analysis and psychological support.

Brunick noted that promoting the culture of volunteering is a cornerstone of the programme’s efforts to achieve sustainable development.

He added that the programme is aimed at building the potential of volunteers and honouring their crucial role in its goals of sustainable development. This year’s annual International Volunteer Day on December 5th was marked with the theme of celebrating and thanking those who worked at the frontlines in the country’s response to the pandemic.

Speaking about the UAE’s regional and international in promoting volunteering culture, Brunick noted that the UAE has emerged as a key partner of the UNV Programme in the region. He further lauded the UAE’s role in supporting and promoting volunteers and volunteering culture.

He added that the programme has been monitoring and reviewing all the works and initiatives carried out by the UAE in recent years in terms of reinforcing and regulating volunteer work. Most notable efforts have been through its "Volunteers.ae" platform, which was launched by the Ministry of Community Development in partnership with the Emirates Foundation, he added. Brunick also praised the exceptional role player by the ‘Fakhr Al Watson Office’ to involve volunteers in the local COVID-19 response efforts.

He further spoke about the ongoing cooperation between the UAE and the programme, stressing on the UAVP’s keenness to work in partnership with the Emirati authorities to fulfill the Sustainable Development Plan 2030 aimed at supporting volunteers and promoting the culture of volunteering in the Emirates and the entire Middle East region.

In conclusion, he spoke about the on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the programme and the Emirates Foundation with the aim of exchanging experiences and send Emirati volunteers to various UN agencies and programmes.

He also added that the programme is working with the Emirates Foundation to revive International Volunteers Day celebrations locally. It is also in talks with the Expo 2020 Office and cooperating with the Ministry of Community Development in a bid to organise the celebrations in 2021.

WAM