United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr Babatunde Ahonsi today paid glowing tribute in recognition of the laudable efforts of all volunteers in Sierra Leone, including current and former UN Volunteers (UNV) and volunteer first responders and frontline health workers.

Delivering the keynote address at an event marking International Volunteers Day at the Radisson Blu, Mammy Yoko in Freetown on Friday, Mr Ahonsi also recognised volunteers and other emergency workers who responded to the devastating Wellington fire disaster in November this year. 

He said volunteering was about giving, sharing, standing by others, supporting causes they care about and creating a better future for everyone. Volunteers are helping us to build back forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RC emphasised that when people are encouraged to get involved in solving problems, the solutions are more likely to be feasible and lasting. “Volunteers engage communities and build a people-centric movement to help build a better and safer future for us all,” he said. 

Representing the Director-General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at the programme was Mr Ronald Turay, a senior officer in the directorate of response and relief. He said volunteers at NDMA do so willingly with enthusiasm asking for nothing. 

Ms Liv Elin Indreiten, who now works as Deputy Representative with UNICEF, shared her experience working as a UNV in Guatemala between 1996 to 2000. Also, Mr Stevens Nabieu, a current UNV with NDMA, said volunteerism made it possible for him to visit the State House and sit in a room of 15 persons, including with the President of Sierra Leone. He said his role as a volunteer data analyst at the NDMA was critical to the organisation’s handling of the fire disaster at Susan’s Bay in March this year and the recent fuel tanker fire disaster at Wellington. 

The event was climaxed by current and former volunteers participating and winning prizes in the SDGs spin-the-wheel contest.