Hello, jt90210-ga!
Your desire to volunteer on such short notice is admirable. Since
this disaster is so recent and the needs in each area are rapidly
changing with each day, relief agencies are still scrambling to
determine how to best utilize their own trained personnel. It may be
awhile before they can map out the best way to use other volunteers.
Many relief agencies currently prefer to implement their programs
using those who have already received the training necessary to deal
with such disasters until the situation calms down a bit. It is
important to realize that disaster relief efforts will be ongoing for
a long while. Your best bet might be summertime if you truly want to
travel to the countries hardest hit by this devastating tsunami.
It would not hurt to call some of the relief agencies listed below,
however, if you truly have the time, finances and expertise to help in
some way. You may find an agency willing to take you up on your very
generous offer to help.
==
The following blog has a "Help Needed" section for Tsunami victims
which is updated daily: http://tsunamihelpneeded.blogspot.com/
==
The Peacework website provides a list of relief agencies to contact
for volunteer opportunities: http://www.peacework.org/tsunami.htm
"The following page contains links to organizations and agencies
helping Tsunami victims. If you are interested in volunteering in one
of the countries devastated by the recent Tsunami, contact the
following agencies. These are reliable agencies; however, Peacework is
not a direct partner with any of these agencies, so arrangements to
volunteer must be made directly through the individual agency.
Peacework cannot be held liable for any injuries sustained while
volunteering with other organizations. Best wishes with your relief
efforts!"
American Jewish World Service
800-889-7146
http://www.ajws.org
American Red Cross International Response Fund
800-HELP NOW
http://www.redcross.org
Catholic Relief Services
800-736-3467
http://www.catholicrelief.org
Direct Relief International
805-964-4767
http://www.directrelief.org
Doctors Without Boarders/Medecins Sans Frontieres
888-392-0392
http://www.doctorswithoutboarders.org
International Medical Corps
800-481-4462
http://www.imcworldwide.org
Mercy Corps
800-852-2100
http://www.mercycorps.org
Operation USA
800-678-7255
http://www.opusa.org
==
Today's news has an article highlighting World Vision's recruitement
of Australian volunteers to help in Tsunami relief. While I have not
seen anything on the organization's website, you might want to call
the World Vision headquarters - 1-888-511-6548.
"A VOLUNTEER register is being set up for South Australians who want
to help with the tsunami relief effort."
* "By yesterday, World Vision had raised $1 million in donations in
Australia, but the aid organisation is also keen to hear from people
who want to offer their time."
"State manager Jane Sloane said administrative, technical, medical,
teaching and communications help was needed, along with fundraisers."
"Volunteers should register their interest by phoning 8211 9801."
From "Appeal for disaster relief volunteers." News.com.au
December 30, 2004 http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11808461%255E2682,00.html
==
You might also want to call some of the organizations listed in the
following article:
"Earthquake: How to Help." The Command Post. [Updated 12/30]
http://www.command-post.org/nk/2_archives/018256.html
==
The following articles point out the hesitancy by some relief agencies
to utilize untrained volunteers at the current time.
"To the relief agencies' message about not sending "stuff," there's
this addendum from Christopher Burns of the St. Paul Red Cross: Please
don't volunteer to go overseas yourself and help the victims. That
kind of job requires extensive training. If you want to make a
long-term commitment to that kind of work, you might be trained by the
time the next disaster hits."
From "Want to help? Relief agencies' No. 1 need is money," by Eric
Black, Star Tribune. December 30, 2004
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5160418.html
Also read: "The shirt off your back?", by Susan Kim. Disaster News
Network. December 29, 2004.
http://www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=2523
==
If there are no opportunities for you to volunteer overseas at the
present time, would you consider using the few weeks you have right
now to volunteer in a local chapter of a relief agency that is
compiling donations to send to tsunami victims overseas? If you are
truly interested in offering aid following natural disasters (and
there will be more, I'm sure!) it would be to your benefit to
establish some local contacts and find out the best ways to offer your
particular expertise. If the agencies cannot use you immediately, they
may be able to put you to work later on in the year.
==
I hope this provides you with some direction. You might want to ad
Google news alerts to your email for the most updated tsunami relief
information:
://www.google.com/alerts?q=volunteer+tsunami+relief&hl=en
It would also be to your benefit to follow the relief efforts
organized by churches in your area. They often organize trips for
people like yourself who are more than willing to travel to disaster
areas simply because of their sincere and generous desire to help
others.
Thanks for your caring spirit!
umiat
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