Volunteering is a great way to be part of the humanitarian community’s work and reach out to people in need.

In conflicts and disasters most relief operations depend heavily on the support of volunteers. They also help by getting their local communities involved and by sharing their knowledge, skills, expertise and ideas.

You can even become a virtual volunteer. Technology has made it easier to have a real impact on the lives of others from anywhere in the world. All you need is access to a computer.

This year is the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers and the UN and partner organizations worldwide have a special focus on volunteering.

Here, Katleen Maes, a volunteer working in the occupied Palestinian territories with displaced families, explains why she got involved.