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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Volunteers Combat Covid 19 – support vulnerable groups

Presidential Commissioner for Volunteersm and NGOs (
Government
)
#SDGAction33783
    Description
    Intro

    During the recent pandemic emergency, the volunteering movement once again demonstrated its value! With commitment to duty and discipline, working under difficult circumstances and faithfully following the protocols that the Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and NGOs had designed and published especially for the pandemic, our Volunteers were the hidden heroes in the rear.

    Implementation of the Project/Activity

    With the activation of “The Volunteer Management Protocol in a Time Crisis” of The Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and NGOs, more than 1650 people were registered, including organized groups and organizations such as Political Parties, Educational Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Motorcycle Clubs, etc. Approximately 850 volunteers were deployed around Cyprus, activating the minimum number of volunteers with targeted actions, in order to reduce the spreading of the pandemic , and protect public health. Special protocols where issue for volunteers and on line training was provided. Special permission was issue by the office of the Commissioner for the activities for the volunteers and a follow up after the completion from each delivery or any other support was made by the volunteers. Additional to that for any crises situation the volunteer’s contact the officer in charge for further directions.

    Results/Outputs/Impacts

    1. Volunteers made 7275 deliveries of personal essential items and disinfectants , to people who were in compulsory quarantine in hotels all over Cyprus. 2. Through the Mobile Units program, 1180 home deliveries of medicines and basic necessities to elderly and people with health problems which do not have a supportive environment, have been completed. This action was implemented in collaboration with the Commissioner of Mountainous Areas, the Union of Municipalities, the Union of Communities and non-governmental organizations for people with disabilities and health problems. 3. The “Coordination Center of Mobile Units” of the Ministry of Labor, in addition to the staffing by public employees of KEPA and ANAD, was also staffed by a large number of volunteers on a daily basis. The Bank of Cyprus and the REACTION Organization provided significant support to the Coordination Center. 4. 67 deliveries of special medical treatment supplies were made in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, by the specialized group of Volunteers who had been trained and equipped with the appropriate protective gear

    Enabling factors and constraints

    We had a very good tecnical support and tecnology, we had create a special protocol that provide insurance for volunteers, issue special protocolls for volunteers especialy for the pandemic

    Sustainability and replicability

    During the big explosion in Lebanon the same approach was use to gather 300 tons of food was sent to Lebanon. Additional to that we use the same approach to other crises.

    COVID-19 Impact

    Encourage more volunteers to be activate and be involved in action that are now concentrated in the SDGs. We will continue to build in this success

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    This initiative does not yet fulfil the SMART criteria.
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    Timeline
    29 March 2020 (start date)
    26 July 2020 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and NGOs
    Ongoing
    No
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries

    NGOs, Private sector with companies, Local Authorities, Citizens amd voluneers, Ministries

    Countries
    Cyprus
    Cyprus
    Contact Information

    Yiannis, Report οn actions taken by volunteers to combat the pandemic, and coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner for Volunteering and Non-Governmental Organizations