Drive for 200 tsunami volunteers
Drive for 200 tsunami volunteers
More than 200 volunteers are needed to help communities devastated by the Asian tsunami to rebuild and recover, UK development charity VSO says.
There is a "pressing need" for people: from mental health workers helping traumatised Sri Lankans, to teachers in the Maldives, it says.
Education, health, social development, business and management professionals are sought for long-term positions.
Volunteers will share skills with local people, usually on two-year postings.
Occupational therapist Hilary Colston has been working in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, helping a Sri Lankan colleague to establish a new psychosocial care unit.
'No quick fix'
She said it was important to offer help, but to allow local people to lead the work.
"There is no quick fix solution," she said.
"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."
VSO chief executive Mark Goldring added: "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."
posted by Info-Share Tsunami Aid at 5:20 PM
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