International Disaster Volunteering Over 50

Senior Volunteers are Making a Huge Difference

Article and photos by John Dwyer
Contributing Editor on Senior Volunteer Service

Buklod Tao founder and European Disaster Volunteers (EDV) Executive Director in Phillipines.

Each day seems to bring new disaster to the world. China, India, Haiti, the Philippines, Somalia, and the U.S.A. are a few of many countries that have recently experienced disasters. No matter the cause whether it natural, economic, armed conflict, or a combination of the three, people, communities and countries are affected and request assistance. We, as over 50 international volunteers, can help.

Locally based organizations or groups are usually the first responders to disasters: fire, police, military, and medical units are immediately on the scene. Community members and survivors join them. Depending upon the severity of the event, international rescue teams may also be involved. As the early post-event hours and days pass, the injured are rescued and cared for, damage is assessed, and needs are determined. It is after this initial response period that international volunteer organizations begin their work.

From the physical work of mucking-out flooded and damaged houses; to building or rebuilding structures; to teaching computer, marketing, and mitigation techniques; to giving medical aid and training, there are many opportunities for volunteers to contribute to disaster recovery efforts.

International Volunteer Organizations

I contacted six organizations while researching this article:

• All Hands Volunteers
• European Disaster Volunteers (EDV)
• FAVACA
• Fuller
• Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteers for Peace (VFP)

Although I did not contact United Nations Volunteers (UNV) about their disaster response programs, I have volunteered with them in the past, am aware of their operations, and so have included them in this article.

Volunteer organizations differ in their approach to disaster response work, and to the type of volunteers they recruit. All Hands concentrates on manual debris clearance although, as Jessica Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator for All Hands explained, “We often also offer additional programs based on the needs in the particular community. Thompson added, “You will be doing a lot of physical work and projects are often located in warmer climates so a reasonable level of fitness is a real help.”

Emma Taylor, European Disaster Volunteers (EDV) Media and Marketing Director said, “Our projects range from construction work to holding IT training. In an “average” week a  volunteer could support (or run!) a team building workshop for youth activists, move rocks into erosion control structures, help research market opportunities for locally produced recycled products, and jump in mixing concrete on the construction site!”

European Disaster Volunteers and Buklod Tao volunteers working together on a project in the Philippines.

Chelsea Frazee of Volunteers for Peace (VFP) Alumni and Outreach said that activities involving, “Cleaning debris, rebuilding schools and homes, assisting in emergency shelters including working with kids, cleaning, cooking, etc.” are among the types of work that volunteers with VFP often perform.

FAVACA has more specific volunteer needs. “FAVACA disaster assistance volunteers are typically experts in the disaster field,” according to Rebecca Reichert, Director of Development for FAVACA. “Their work may include training partners in small business development, disaster mitigation, organizational development, women or youth leadership, health care and education among many other topics.”

The time a volunteer needs to commit to a deployment can range from one week to months depending upon the organization, the disaster, and the time the volunteer has available. A volunteer should be in reasonably good health. It is important prior to committing to any international mission that a volunteer be aware of their health condition and physical limitations. A visit to one’s family physician prior to deployment is advisable. Emma Taylor of EDV said, “Volunteers must be healthy enough to safely stay with us in the developing world, but there are very few medical conditions that will immediately exclude a volunteer.”

All of the organizations expressed the need for volunteers to be flexible and adaptable. “Don’t expect everything to be perfectly planned or executed, said Chelsea Frazee of VFP, “but do expect you will meet new people, learn a lot about yourself and have an impact on the community you are working in.”

To find a program that will work for you, visit the websites of the international volunteer organizations. First go to the Frequently Asked Questions pages for basic information. Check out the types of programs offered, transportation arrangements, insurance costs, and how the organization lodges its volunteers. Find out about security arrangements. Then contact the organizations either by email or telephone. Request contact information of former volunteers so you can ask them about their experiences. Ask about any clothing and equipment that you should take with you on the mission. Ask any other questions that are important to you. Once you have gathered the information you can make an informed choice and plan your mission.

Senior Disaster Volunteers at Work Sal Arnaldo conducting training workshops for preventing waterborne diseases in Nicaraguan communities. Building on the integrated pest and disease management training, Bo Sterk endeavored to encourage beekeepers that had lost colonies to reestablish apiaries once a supply of healthy bees could be procured Tom Spreen and Renee Goodrich assessed the potential for the construction of a new citrus/fruit processing plant, analyzed the potential processing capacity, helped to determine the energy needs to become self-reliant, and gauged the viability of establishing a plant Dr. West traveled to Oranjestad, St. Eustatius from December 5-13, 2008 to conduct training sessions on proper kitchen safety, sanitation, and a variety of cooking skills. A total of 40 students, local chefs, and teachers from the Tourism Center benefited from the training. Maria Figueroa Rodriguez returned to Guatemala City, Guatemala, September 16-19, 2002, to provide training under the US Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program. Dale Habeck, PhD, Gainesville, conducted the training September 13-21, 2003. Officers lacked proper skills in identification of these pests, which is vital for proper management strategies. The training upgraded the skills of the department staff and plant quarantine officers, while allowing them to perform their tasks more efficiently. Dr. Xiaoan Sun, Plant Pathologist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Division of Plant Industry also in Gainesville, Florida

John Dwyer, Contributing Editor on Senior Volunteer Service for TransitionsAbroad.com, joined the Peace Corps at age 56, a decision that has led to international service in 14 countries and travel to 54 countries. After Peace Corps service in Guatemala, John served as a United Nations volunteer in the first elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Bosnian War. He has subsequently worked on elections in 10 other countries. He managed camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Herat, Afghanistan and did development work in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He continues to work internationally.

John hosts a website, Over 50 and Overseas, which is a resource for individuals over 50 who wish to volunteer internationally.