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Media releases > VSO makes urgent appeal
VSO makes urgent appeal for volunteers to work in tsunami hit countries
(24 January 2005)
One month on from the Asian tsunami, international development charity VSO is launching an urgent campaign to recruit over 200 volunteers to work in long-term development in the region affected by the disaster. Volunteers are also desperately needed for other parts of the world, including Africa.
In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami VSO, which works through volunteers, received an unprecedented number of calls from individuals wishing to help in the relief effort. At the time its message was that the most effective method of support was financial, but the charity said that volunteers would play a crucial role in the months and years to come.
The charity has been working closely with its local partners to establish how its volunteers can most effectively contribute to long-term development and there is now an urgent need for applications. VSO is concerned that the initial motivation to volunteer may have passed and that long-term development will suffer.
VSO Chief Executive Mark Goldring said:
Now the immediate chaos and confusion has passed there is a pressing need for vital professional expertise and it is critical that VSO encourages applications. The time is right for those who expressed an interest in volunteering to think again about how their skills can have a lasting impact on the communities affected by the disaster.
VSO volunteers live and work alongside local colleagues, sharing their skills to ensure those living in the poorest communities have access to vital public services such as quality education, healthcare and income generation advice. Experienced professionals with backgrounds in education, health and social development or business and management are needed for a variety of long term positions in South Asia and elsewhere.
In Sri Lanka there is a specific need for mental healthcare professionals to offer support and advice on rehabilitation and post traumatic stress care. In the Maldives education volunteers’ work will enable local teachers to help children understand the phenomenon of the tsunami. Across the region management professionals will be needed to assist local government and civil society institutions in responding to the effects of the disaster.
Hilary Colston is an Occupational Therapist working in the Batticaloa region of Sri Lanka. Prior to the tsunami she was working at a local mental healthcare centre. One month on, the focus of her placement has changed and, as well as continuing to work in her original role, she is also offering support to a Sri Lankan colleague as he establishes a new psychosocial care facility called Mangrove. Mangrove will offer logistical and emotional support, plus training and resources to the hundreds of local practitioners that will be needed to assess and manage the long-term mental health consequences of the tsunami.
Hilary Colston said:
Our work must be about enabling our local colleagues to move forwards. There is no quick fix solution and we must recognise that it will be a slow process of offering support, respect and encouragement to those who will be administering care because they will be dealing with their own personal trauma as well as that of their patients. We must offer help where we can but we must allow our colleagues here to lead the work.
A series of Meet VSO events will be taking place over the coming months where professionals interested in volunteering will be able to find out more about the placements on offer in South Asia and elsewhere and meet former volunteers. To find out more visit www.vso.org.uk/events
Most VSO placements last for two years and volunteers receive return flights, accommodation, a local living allowance, plus insurance and NI contributions for the period of their service. For further information call +44 (0)20 8780 7500 or visit www.vso.org.uk
Editors' notes
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