Haiti earthquake response
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is urgently seeking information about the health and safety of our 220 UNV volunteers currently stationed in Haiti.
"Our immediate concern is for the safety and wellbeing of UNV volunteers, UN staff and the people of Haiti," said UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri.
"We are making every effort to find out how our volunteers are and to provide them with all the support they need."
UNV volunteers are expected to be fully engaged in the UN response to the earthquake. More information will be provided as soon as possible.
A hotline has been established by the United Nations in New York, USA, for families seeking further information about UN personnel including UNV volunteers. The telephone number is +1-212-9634139.
As further information becomes available we will post it to the UNV website (www.unv.org).
The majority of UNV volunteers in Haiti support the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as it strengthens governance and civil institutions. Others are assigned to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Originating from five continents, the UNV volunteers help ensure food security, report on civil and political affairs, work as finance officers and transport assistants, and provide several other forms of support. Many work directly with Haitian people in Port-au-Prince and other regions of the country.