International Volunteer Day celebrates volunteer action during COVID-19

The year 2020 was different for all of us; a global Pandemic was introduced, people lost jobs, families lost loved ones, and economies recorded unprecedented losses. However, it is through the darkest moments in human history that we prevail together as one, and this time is no different.

This year on the 4th and 5th of December 2020, the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) in Egypt, along with its partners, are celebrating the International Volunteer Day (IVD) by recognizing volunteers’ efforts and impact during COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers have acted against the direct threat posed by the pandemic outbreak and wider challenges in a significant outpouring of solidarity. By voluntary actions, people on the margins can become more included in societies. This is why volunteers played a vital role in 2020 throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Together we can, through Volunteering” a slogan of the International Volunteer Day 2020, at a time where volunteers were needed the most in hospitals, relief camps and different medical facilities. They were also needed to mitigate the social and economic consequences of the pandemic on their communities. During the two-days celebration, participants will engage - online and in person - in a series of workshops designed to support their effort during COVID-19, they will have the chance to play DIY development games, develop their volunteering capacities to better serve their communities and learn how to protect their mental health during times of crisis.

Emphasizing on the vital role of volunteers in contributing and creating an organized, optimized, and community-focused approach actions to the pandemic, volunteers will be trained on the principles, skills and types of volunteerism. They will be introduced to impactful volunteering local initiatives; in order to inspire and boost their endeavors and local contributions.

As volunteers together with the health workers are at the front-line response, they have the COVID-19 implications on their mental health. Positioning volunteers at the front line mean that volunteers can be exposed to further harm. Through the workshop, volunteers will learn how to live a healthy lifestyle, help their immune systems to be in the best shape possible to tackle pathogens, and protect their mental health and will discuss how to protect their surroundings through a self-care and peer-support program. They will also meet public figures making significant voluntary actions in the communities and listen to inspirational volunteering youth initiatives fighting COVID-19.

The organization of the two-days event could have not been possible without the help of our partners: Beena Initiative at the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity, Plan International, The Egyptian Red Crescent, The Scout, Sofara ‘Ambassadors of Voluntary Work’ NGO, Mashroo Watan NGO and CEOSS.

International Volunteer Day has always given us the opportunity to promote volunteerism within local governments, societies and global communities. In a time where unity is the key to passing the current predicament, the IVD will continue promoting its goals, ideologies and will continue to encourage those who are able to volunteer to join the cause and help the world usher in a new dawn.

Join us in celebrating those who were at the frontlines with medical personal and first responders fighting COVID-19.