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Volunteer In Haiti: Want To Volunteer in Haiti? Tips & Guideline
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by Sudha Krishna | January 13, 2010 at 03:24 pm
96514 views | 43 Recommendations | 371 comments
Want to Volunteer in Haiti? Feel the natural urge to help that country? Have some skills to offer? Well, to Volunteer in Haiti the first tip or guideline is, don't - unless you have previous disaster relief experience or you have very specific technical skills that could be useful, leave it to the professional organizations like Doctors Without Borders.
It is completely understandable to want to volunteer in Haiti - after all the stories and images from Haiti are heart breaking but the experts say, leave it to the experts.
The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) has a volunteer registration page and it provides the following guideline, actually rule, for those interested in volunteering.
"Volunteers without prior disaster relief experience are generally not selected for relief assignments. Candidates with the greatest chance of being selected have fluency in the language of the disaster-stricken area, prior disaster relief experience, and expertise in technical fields such as medicine, communications logistics, water/sanitation engineering. In many cases, these professionals are already available in-country. Most agencies will require at least ten years of experience, as well as several years of experience working overseas. "
What disaster relief organizations need from you is not to volunteer in Haiti but they need your money, your donations. Right now that is the best way you can help the people of Haiti.
Update January 20th
There are lots of people, judging from the comments who have experience but consider this notice from the Volunteer section of the Doctors Without Borders Website
"While we appreciate this generous response to the emergency, please understand thatwe cannot immediately send new volunteers to Haiti.
MSF's ability to respond swiftly to emergencies like this one is rooted in our existing pool of MSF aid workers who have agreed to be available to work with us on short notice. These staff are selected to join our pool through an extensive application and screening process."
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Recommendations (43)
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (371)
at 16:31 on January 13th, 2010
I am an EMT basic and a construction worker and would like to volunteer to help in Haiti. Please respond. Thanks
at 07:43 on January 14th, 2010
I will be emt basic in April and would love to be sent over for a few months. I too have been in const. for 10 years and will be more than happy to give you a few months of my time. Please let me know what I can do anyone please call me 512 293 4865, Kris Keush kriskeush@yahoo.com facebook: godschild0
at 11:54 on January 14th, 2010
American airlines is flying medical personnel to haiti for free, check it out
at 12:50 on January 14th, 2010
Can you explain more about New York flying medical personnel for free. I dont want to blog and chit chat about all shit shit. I just want to go to Haiti. Can you please explain to me who I should call/email about actually going to haiti rather than talking about it. I'm and EMT/FF and I would love to go. Thanks
at 14:39 on January 14th, 2010
This free flights to Haiti thing is a hoax.
at 18:36 on January 16th, 2010
I am a c. m. a. and do not have a job right now and i will go to haiti i know i can help please let me help call me at 609-233-7074 or e-me at scottsworld64@aol.com can leave tomorrow let me help
at 19:32 on January 18th, 2010
Scott by any chance have you found out how to volunteer to help in Haiti.I have found it is not easy.You would think Haiti is in need of medical help what is the hold up .Doctors without boarders takes about 6 mo to be approved if you speak a language etc. I have other medical proff willing to go to Haiti but have no way to get to Haiti ! ARGGGG Any info would be great! Thanks Eileen 815-762-3726
at 15:56 on January 23rd, 2010
I couldn't find anything on AA website, have 15 years trauma experience and need to get to Haiti, can you tell me where to find it? THX
at 19:57 on January 16th, 2010
I too am an EMT as well as a certified Firefighter. I live in Florida and have various training in disaster management, rescue/emergency operations, extrications, and more and would be more than willing to volunteer my services. If I can be of assistance you can contact me at Ryan.Rhode281@yahoo.com
at 15:47 on January 17th, 2010
Did you get a response?
at 12:53 on January 20th, 2010
No way would I volunteer for something like this
at 17:55 on January 25th, 2010
why waste your time saying that then go to hell
at 13:15 on February 1st, 2010
your an ass!!! why even write something on here you fucking ass!!!!
at 22:24 on February 4th, 2010
yea me too
at 16:27 on February 11th, 2010
Bob Fleming , I just hope you and your family are never in need of help !!
at 21:39 on January 20th, 2010
I am a EMT/firefighter, medical assistant, and former medic in the NAVY. I have alot of experience with disaster with the Red Cross I am available to go to Haiti. CNN states the medical personnel there are begging for help! Please contact me by email or call 513 410 4541
at 23:20 on January 23rd, 2010
i am an able bodied american ready to help i am in school for medical assisting and this would be amazing to help people im a 26 year old male and athletic and i want to help PLEASE let me email me at travisx69@yahoo.com if u are able to help me get to haiti and help in whatever is needed thank you so much
at 15:17 on February 1st, 2010
What disaster relief organizations need from you is not to volunteer in Haiti but they need your money, your donations. Right now that is the best way you can help the people of Haiti. Call us for directives to avoid falling into wrong hands: +44 702 406 2845 James Hayden.Disaster Relief OrganisationsTel: +44 702 406 2845
at 01:22 on February 2nd, 2010
wat can i donate and to who will i send the donations thru?
at 15:36 on February 21st, 2010
I am a construction worker and I want to help!!! I live in Dallas
at 09:21 on February 22nd, 2010
IMANA is an org. that will probably take you to PAP to work at their field hospital. Check them out online, I went with them 1 week after the disaster and it worked out well.
at 16:38 on January 13th, 2010
I am a very killed medic. In short .............please get me to Haiti so I can contribute......
at 21:22 on January 13th, 2010
bilingual French & English. ready, willing, able to help. I KNOW THE COUNTRY VERY WELL
at 18:53 on January 19th, 2010
Mark please double check your spelling--lol--in all seriousness thanks for giving a damn though..good luck!
at 17:08 on January 13th, 2010
have thousand of hours on various pieces of heavy equiptment. also skilled in demolition equiptment. ready to go...
at 19:14 on January 13th, 2010
If you have noticed in the film clips and pics, there isn't any equipment in Haiti. It's sad but true. I myself would volunteer and go in a heart beat as I have just closed my business due the economy in my area. I also have thousands of hrs on most types of equipment as well as EMT skills. Would like to help as well.
at 17:20 on January 13th, 2010
I want to help the people in Haiti. How can I get over their to volunteer my services.
at 17:21 on January 13th, 2010
I am a new graduate registered nurse. I have a bachelor's in nursing, however, I have basically no experience as a nurse independently. Would I be useful as a volunteer?
at 09:45 on January 15th, 2010
I'm an LVN volunteer and this is what I used to sign up (nationalnursesunited.org) On the conference call, they said they welcome all nursing skills and selected applicants will get a call back for deployment briefing. Good luck to you. Hopefully we make it down there.
at 17:29 on January 13th, 2010
I am an RN who lived in Haiti for 18 months back in the early 80's. I want to do whatever I can to do help.