Posts provide many services that improve people’s quality of life. In additional to their core letter and parcel delivery services, Posts are active in areas such as health and social care, education, and community development. This social role is gaining greater recognition as Posts form partnerships with governments and communities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and, more broadly, to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Photo: Correos De Costa Rica
The UPU supports the diversification of postal operations as a strategic response to the pace of technological and social change (Istanbul World Postal Strategy 2017–2020), and to generate additional revenue, increase competitiveness and remain relevant. The need for governments to leverage the postal network for socio-economic development is one of the four key areas of action outlined in the Abidjan Postal Strategy 2021–2024 (document CA C 3 2019.2–Doc 3).
A project to review, synthesize and promote postal social services was initiated in November 2019 with sponsorship from the Ministry of Internal Communications of Japan. The aims of this project are to raise awareness of the social services that Posts already deliver, and to support further innovation and utilization of postal networks for social goals. These aims will be achieved by gathering international case studies, publishing a guide to implementing social services, and undertaking a pilot project with designated operators to introduce a new social service in 2020.
A total of 113 UPU members responded to a survey on social services, issued in December 2019. Of these, 79% confirmed that they offer some type of social service, and 59% have plans to offer new social services in the future. Our members reported a wide variety of postal social services, which are summarized in the documents below.
The full UPU Guide to Postal Social Services can be downloaded here - Full Guide in English
If you have any questions about postal social services, please send an e-mail to: pss(at)upu.int
Postal Hub Podcast interview: The Social Role of the Post
Union Postale cover story (p16): Postal Social Services during COVID-19
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Supporting LDCs through the Covid-19 crisis
The UPU’s Directorate of Development and Cooperation (DCDEV) has played a key role during the global pandemic in supporting posts in developing countries tackle the virus.
Social services are in postal DNA, says UPU expert
UPU guide underscores value of postal social services for citizens and governments
How Covid-19 vaccination campaigns help address the unaddressed
Addresses are essential for the management of cities, for service delivery, and to give people status in society. Many areas of the world, however, remain unaddressed.
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Posts offer a crucial lifeline to those living in isolation
UPU launches Post4Health facility to help with COVID-19 vaccine response
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has launched a new facility which aims to assist posts deliver health policies, products and services.
Statement of the Universal Postal Union’s Director General on the launch of the Post4Health Facility
We are in a race to vaccinate the world; one that we cannot afford to lose.
Pakistan Post delivers during extreme weather
The northern regions of Pakistan are subject to extreme weather conditions during winter.
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On the front line in the Santa Rosa wildfires
When fast-moving wildfires roared into parts of Santa Rosa, California, in late September 2020, residents and workers were asked to evacuate immediately.
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UPU Review 2020: Beirut Blast
Throughout the latter half of 2020, the Universal Postal Union reported on how LibanPost continued to deliver mail following the terrible 4 August explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.