Natalia Peshkova at her desk at the Joint Operations Center in Bunia, MONUSCO.
Why the hardest duty stations are worth it ¨C a ±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer's story
"When I received my offer to serve as a ±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer in MINUSCA, the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, I was truly terrified," says Natalia Peshkova from the Russian Federation. "Of course, I Googled the country before, but suddenly those images of uncertainty, hardship, and the struggle for peace were no longer headlines; they were about to become my reality. Let me tell you, Google is not your best friend when you are preparing to be deployed to one of the most challenging duty stations in the world."
Natalia had to prepare not only her suitcase but her mindset. This wasn't just a job, it was a commitment to serve in a place where peace is fragile and every action matters. She continues, "Fear slowly gave way to determination as I reminded myself why I chose this path¡ªto make a difference where it's needed most. What awaited me was not comfort, but purpose."
After getting approximately twelve vaccines, I was officially ready for deployment. And that's how my volunteering journey began in a small town called Kaga Bandoro, where I was a ±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer Political Affairs Officer living in a military camp. My work at the time¡ªsupporting local authorities to implement a political peace agreement.
First deployment with MINUSCA
That first deployment with the (MINUSCA) from January to October 2023 shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. It was challenging and overwhelming, but it also gave me resilience and, more so, the confidence that I could handle more than I thought was possible. I was based in , where I worked directly with local communities. In one instance, I led a discussion with a team of local journalists on the provisions of the .
Overall, my role involved conducting awareness and training sessions for local communities, political actors, civil society, youth and women leaders, and religious figures on the Peace Agreement, emphasizing peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution.
Additionally, I designed and implemented a project to establish local mediation committees in three prefectures (). These committees¡ªbringing together community leaders, local authorities, security forces, and armed group representatives¡ªwere tasked with mediating intercommunal disputes and reducing tensions through dialogue and early conflict prevention.
±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer Natalia Peshkova speaks to local journalists in Kaga Bandoro on their crucial role in helping communities understand and engage with the peace process.
Second deployment ¨C MONUSCO in Bunia
When I was selected for the second time to serve as a ±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer, the feeling was completely different. This time, fear had vanished¡ªreplaced by pure excitement. I now serve as an Associate Joint Operations Officer with the (MONUSCO). Our field office is in the town of at the Joint Operations Center, or 'JOC'.
For those who don't live in the world of peacekeeping, JOC is the Mission's information hub. We work 24/7, monitoring the situation, gathering information from every component of the Mission, military, police, civilian, and the United Nations Country Teams on security, political, and human rights developments. A large part of my job is devoted to analyzing, verifying and managing security and human rights data. I identify trends and evolving security dynamics, produce analytical reports, and coordinate an early warning mechanism to inform MONUSCO's operational responses, particularly for the Protection of Civilians (PoC).
In Bunia since September 2024, most of my main interlocutors are internal. Although I sometimes miss this aspect of the work of directly engaging with communities, like in Kaga Bandoro. But what I truly appreciate in my current role is the opportunity to see real peacekeeping in action. How crises are managed, how military, police and civilian peacekeepers coordinate and work under pressure to protect civilian lives.
Looking back, my two deployments as a ±¬ÁÏÍø Volunteer are far more than professional milestones¡ªrather, life-changing experiences. They reveal a version of me I never knew existed: someone who can face hardship head-on and still find meaning, strength, and hope.
So here's my message to anyone considering this path: don't let fear hold you back. Feeling terrified is normal. Skip the endless Googling¡ªit won't show you the reality. Apply, even for the hardest duty stations. It won't be easy, but I promise you this: it will be worth every moment.
MONUSCO conducting patrols in 2025. Credit: Natalia Peshkova archives.
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