In response to the devastating earthquake which struck the island of Haiti, the Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is looking for volunteers to help with rebuilding and rehabilitation. GVN and the GVN Foundation are focusing our efforts on the following 3 areas: 1) Raising funds at this page. It's great to be able to report that at the time of writing, over NZ$9,000 has been donated which is fantastic. We guarantee that 100% of donations received will go to the disaster relief fund, and hope that you can raise awareness by forwarding this link to your friends and family, on Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, etc. 2) Commissioning an advanced team of relief professionals, headed by Nadine McNeil (GVN Foundation Director) who has over 20 year extensive experience working in the UN, including a three year assignment in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. This team will 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 (Please note this team has already been chosen and are making preparations to go to Haiti.) 3) Organizing volunteer teams 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. Volunteers needed! 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/ "">http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/ where you can complete the online applications 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 - both GVN and GVNF are receiving hundreds of emails each day from people like yourself, who want to help. Together we can. Kindest regards Colin Salisbury Founder and President
