Colombo, Sri Lanka: The government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme today launched a new initiative to set in motion the establishment of a volunteer infrastructure to position volunteerism as a contributor to the country’s development agenda.  Read article

Weston, USA: After a year at Mount Holyoke College, Weston High School graduate Julie Angiolillo decided to try something completely different. In early September she left for Sri Lanka to volunteer at the Kalutara North Tsunami Camp. She considers the connections she made with the children to be one of her greatest achievements.  Read article

For International Volunteer Day 2005, Voluntary Service Overseas is highlighting the important contributions of local and national volunteering – and also the contributions of international volunteers – with a campaign entitled "Volunteers for Development: Building Communities Together".   Read article

Skilled international volunteers are supplementing local staff and volunteers in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand in tsunami recovery efforts in these countries. Volunteers bring not only skills, but sorely needed encouragement and energy as they build alongside local volunteers and homeowners.   Read article

Until six months ago, Dilshard Ahamed, 22, worked in his family-owned guesthouse. In his quiet manner he explains that while he only recently joined the Red Cross as a staff member, he has been volunteering with the Red Cross for the past 2 years. Drawing from his volunteer experience, he was able to provide first aid and, later, relief distribution when the devastating tsunami struck Sri Lanka.   Read article

After the Indian Ocean tsunami, Sri Lankan mother Indrani Nakandalage became a volunteer worker, almost by fluke, when friends from abroad started to send her money to buy provisions for the victims. Six months on, she tells her story -- how she has been able to bring back children's smiles and give them the chance to live life anew.  Read article

The air is full of dust as energetic Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers carry tsunami debris away from a destroyed house. Every day, ten houses in Beruwala are cleaned up by Red Cross and community volunteers. Their work helps identify basic needs and immediate solutions, speeding up the mental and physical recovery of the affected communities.  Read article

The first time that four construction students -- Debbie Churchill, Shane Beldom, Sue Edmonds and Elaine Byrd -- heard of the charity Habitat for Humanity was when the director of their training provider invited them into his office and told them they had been selected to join a mercy mission to Sri Lanka.  Read article

Hong Kong: More than 100 representatives from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are gathering in Hong Kong, to set out its long-term plan of action for survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami of last December 26.  Read article

Bonn: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in coordination with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Offices and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), is deploying volunteers in several South Asian countries to help governments, NGOs and other UN agencies provide relief to thousands of people who have lost their homes and family members in the tsunamis of 26 December.  Read article