Haiti Disaster Update - Advanced Team Report

The meeting with the Haiti Advanced Team in New York went extremely well. Nadine McNeil, Project Leader, presented the Assessment Report which outlined the current state of conditions on the ground in Haiti; and the volunteer profile and skill set that will be required over the next 12 months.

Excerpts from the Team Assessment Report:
CURRENT OVERALL CONDITIONS:
The initial recovery teams have left and most crisis medical care has been done. The medical needs now are in the realm of broken bones that were never set, secondary infections and maladies due to toxic living conditions and poverty-related illnesses. The roads need to be repaired and built. Buildings need to be rebuilt or made structurally sound again. Communication systems need to be established. Housing needs to be a major priority as approximately 1.5 million people were displaced, a total of 3 million affected. Infrastructure basics such as running water and plumbing are needed to attenuate the ubiquitous diseases that have caused one of the world's highest rates of infant mortality.

VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
All volunteers to Haiti need to be in optimal health condition; i.e., mentally and physically. Given the harsh conditions on the ground and virtually no adequate medical support, to travel in country with questionable health is deemed unacceptable and irresponsible. Awareness of the Haitian cultural backdrop is critical to lending meaningful assistance. Knowledge of French and/or Creole is highly encouraged and recommended, especially for those volunteers who are placed in remote locations. At least for the first 6 to 9 months, all volunteers travelling to Haiti will need to undergo induction training prior to their arrival in Haiti. Prior relief/emergency experience is strongly desired for the first team going in.

Nadine and I have been working around the clock this week confirming which partners we will be working with and setting up the logistics required to operate a safe and effective volunteer program.

We are aiming to have the first team mobilised in April which would include a 5 day training/induction in Jamaica and then a Haiti mission.

We are currently working through the applications received and next week we will commence the selection process based on the recommended criteria. We will also be in a position to provide you with more concrete information about the types of placements being offered and associated costs.

Again, I thank all of you for your continued support and patience during this time.

Kind Regards,

Colin Salisbury
Founder and President
Global Volunteer Network

Haiti Disaster Update - Interview with Nadine McNeil

As we endeavour to reach out to the survivors of the Haiti earthquake disaster and assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the country, I wish to update you on the three key areas where we are concentrating our efforts:

1 - GVN Haiti Advanced Team

Nadine McNeil, GVN Haiti Advanced Team Leader and Project Co-ordinator has returned to Jamaica following the five day assessment in Haiti and provided us with a preliminary report which is available online for you to listen to:
http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/nadine.php

In the report, McNeil describes the living conditions on the ground in Haiti and says the whole team experienced tremors while they were there. "We experienced two or three tremors... living conditions are sparse and we were living in tents as most of the society and community are, simply because people are too traumatised to go into buildings," says McNeil.

Nadine McNeil also reports that the main issues on the ground that she witnessed are in relation to the distribution of food and water and the growing number of IDP's (Internally Displaced People).

Listen to the full report: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/nadine.php

2 - Haiti Volunteer Program and Be The Change Course

On Saturday 6 February I will be travelling to New York to meet with Courtney Montague (GVN Foundation Executive Director), Nadine McNeil, and other members of the Haiti Advanced Team. The findings and recommendations put forward at this meeting will drive and shape the Haiti Volunteer Program going forward.

If you are interested in joining a GVN volunteer team in Haiti over the coming 12 months, please go to http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/ where you can complete the online application form.

Or if you would like to start your own project or organisation and work directly with Nadine McNeil and myself, then please join us at the next Be The Change course in Jamaica, March 2010. One key area of focus will be sustainability in Haiti and the relief and rehabilitation efforts going forward. Apply now: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/be_the_change/

3 - Haiti Emergency Appeal

It's great to be able to report that since launching the appeal, over US$20,000 has been donated. If you have already supported our appeal, thank you for your donation. If you haven't yet had the chance, please consider making a donation so we can further support the 3 million survivors in desperate need: http://www.gvnfundraising.org/cause/Haitidisasterrelief
We guarantee that 100% of donations received will go to the disaster relief fund.

GVN will continue to provide all who have registered with details of the volunteer program as information unfolds.

Thank you once again for your commitment and support.

GVN Relief/Assessment Team to be Transported into Haiti Thanks to Support in Jamaica

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) will send an advanced team of GVN relief professionals into Haiti this week thanks to a private organisation in Jamaica and public support.

In response to the Haiti disaster Colin Salisbury, Global Volunteer Network (GVN) Founder and President has commissioned an advanced team of relief professionals - all private individuals who have readily volunteered to lend their expertise and support - headed by Nadine McNeil, GVN Foundation Board Member who has over 20 years experience working in the UN, including a three year assignment in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami.

“The team will make an initial assessment of the immediate needs on the ground, specifically addressing water/sanitation, health/safety, psycho-social trauma support, and logistics/ distribution. The recommendations coming from the initial assessment team will drive the GVN Haitian re-building/support volunteer projects for the next 12-18 months,” says Salisbury.

Salisbury says that the international community, both the public and private sectors have been quick to respond but more needs to be done.

“I am urging everyone to act. Whether you dig deep and put your hands in your pockets, volunteer, or send prayers, please do something. We can all do something.”

If you are interested in joining a GVN volunteer team in Haiti over the coming 12 months, please visit the GVN website: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti

You can also listen to Colin Salisbury's radio interview about the Haiti relief effort and volunteer program here.

Haiti Disaster Update: Volunteers Needed!

On Tuesday, January 12th 2010, an earthquake registering at 7.0 hit the island of Haiti in the Caribbean. Over 100,000 people are predicted dead and more than 3 million directly impacted by this natural disaster.


We are now working to implement a long term, sustainable volunteer project in Haiti.

GVN have commissioned an advanced team of relief professionals to make an initial assessment of the immediate needs on the ground, specifically addressing the following areas:

* Water and Sanitation
* Health and Safety
* Psycho-social trauma support
* Logistics and distribution
* Media outreach and communication

Once the advanced specialist team have completed their work and provided a report on the situation we will then send in a rebuilding and rehabilitation team of volunteers.

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is looking for volunteers to help with rebuilding and rehabilitation.

GVN’s experience from the December 2004 tsunami indicates that volunteers will be required over the next 12 months to help in the following areas:

* Working with Children
* Teaching
* Health/Medical
* Building and construction
* Counselling
* Business development

GVN must be in a position to deploy our volunteer teams as soon as required; we are therefore looking for expressions of interest in leading or joining one of our volunteer teams. We believe you will be able to volunteer anywhere from one week to six months. Those who have registered to be a team member will be given first preference.

If you are interested in joining a GVN volunteer team in Haiti over the coming 12 months, please go to http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/ where you can complete the online application form.

GVN will provide all who have registered with regular updates from the advanced team, along with details of the program as information unfolds.

Be encouraged, you are not alone in your concern for the people of Haiti as both GVN and GVNF are receiving hundreds of emails each day from people like yourself, who want to help. Together we can.

Earthquake Decimates Haiti: Please Help

Haiti's worst quake in two centuries hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince this week. Thousands of lives have been lost, many are still missing, and hundreds of thousands of people have been affected. Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive says he believes more than 100,000 people may have been killed.

The earthquake has destroyed much of the already fragile and overburdened infrastructure in the most densely populated part of the country. A massive and immediate international response is needed to provide food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to the people.

The GVN Team have launched into action and set up the Haiti Emergency Appeal to assist in the relief efforts and rehabilitation of the country. I plan on travelling to Haiti to head the distribution team once the UN has stabilised the area and we have made contacts on the ground. Plans are already underway for GVN to set up a volunteer program to assist the victims and the rebuilding of their communities.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. I urge you to please consider making a donation to this appeal. 100% OF YOUR FUNDS RECEIVED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE FUND. (Please note donations are in NZ dollars, if you donate NZ$10 then this will be approximately US$7.40)

> HAITI DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Click to donate: http://www.gvnfundraising.org/cause/Haitidisasterrelief

Every little bit will help. Every dollar will make a difference. Please give today.

Kind Regards,

Colin Salisbury
Global Volunteer Network

Treat Yourself in 2010 - Climb a Mountain!

Have you ever dreamt about climbing a mountain? Are you looking for a new challenge or a rewarding personal achievement for this year? Treat yourself by being part of GVN's Fundraising Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp and support disadvantaged children living in Homes at the same time.


As a participant in this trek you will also have the opportunity to visit ancient temples and palaces in Kathmandu, as well as the highest Buddhist monastery in the world. Funds raised through this trek will ensure the health, nutrition and education needs of the 13 children living in the Brighter Future Children's Home are met and also contribute to the construction and running costs of a new home.

Participants from the previous two Base Camp treks fundraised over $56,000 and here is what some of them had to say about their trekking adventure:

"It was wonderful! It was life changing and I am so glad I decided to do it....Having the opportunity to see a completely different way of life from my own really had a huge impact on me - more so than I ever thought it would."
Lindsay, USA Everest Trekker

"My trip to Everest Base Camp was a defining moment in my life and, for a moment, it gave me faith that I was not one to let life slip quietly from my hands. If you are like me and want to truly understand your world and your place in it, I hope that you will allow GVN to get you up off the couch and explore life. Best wishes on your journey."
Chris, USA Everest Trekker

Make this your year! Apply online today and make the trek to Everest Base Camp: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/nepal/everest/

Colin Salisbury
Founder and President

Treat Yourself in 2010 - Join 'Be The Change'!

If you've been thinking about a career change or starting your own non-profit, NGO, or social enterprise, then treat yourself in 2010 by taking part in our exclusive Be The Change program.


Join me and discover how you can live the life you always dreamt of. But don't take my word for it, see how previous Be The Change participants are 'being the change' and what they have to say about the program.

Check out the testimonial video: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/be_the_change/index.php

"The 'Be The Change Breckenridge' program definitely exceeded my expectations in every way. Instead of just learning about the mechanics of NPO's, NGO's and social entrepreneurship, I also came out of the program more focused, driven and confident to implement my idea of developing a global awareness campaign around sex-trafficking."
Andrea Suica, USA
Be The Change (Breckenridge)

"Traveling to New Zealand to be a part of the Be The Change program was hands-down one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life. Having the opportunity to learn from such incredible people who are doing the work I once only dreamed about has changed my life in many ways. They instilled in me the confidence, strength, and courage to go after my dream to make a difference in this world."
Jan Reid, USA
Be The Change (New Zealand)

The next Be The Change program will be held from March 14-21, 2010 in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. For more information or to apply online click on the following link: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/be_the_change/

Please join me on this life changing program and I look forward to helping turn your dreams into reality!

Colin Salisbury
Founder and President