Gov Appeal For Emergency Volunteers

The Government has released an appeal by Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps as they search for skilled volunteers willing to respond to major disasters.

Those applying will be asked to assist in events such as the Haiti Earthquake, the Bangladesh Floods and the Asian Tsunami, according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin, today.

The Minister said Ireland has 155 experts in its Corps who are on constant stand-by to join the efforts of the United Nation’s and Aid Agencies abroad in responding to emergencies.

The workers were central to Ireland’s response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, with 15 volunteers deployed since the disaster struck on January 12th 2010.

Current members of the Corps include engineers, transport managers, IT specialists, medical staff and others from a variety of other specialised fields, each willing to travel with just 72 hours notice.

Since it the Corps was formed in the wake of the Asian Tsunami, members have been sent to 24 countries worldwide.

"When disaster strikes there is always enormous interest from members of the public wanting join the Corps, in response to public interest a new recruitment drive will be launched next month with interviews taking place in March.

"The drive is an opportunity to increase the ranks of the Corps and to bring in new skills so, as a country, we can continue to play our part in helping people across the world when disaster strikes."

Mr Martin said he would encourage people with skills that would be useful in the event of a disaster to give some time over the next few weeks to consider if they are willing to join the Rapid Response Corps.

Details of the recruitment will be placed on line at www.dfa.ie and www.irishaid.ie, and details will also be available from the Department of Foreign Affairs Volunteer Centre at 27/31 Upper O’Connell St, Dublin 1.

"Of course deploying experts on the ground is just one part of any response to a quake, flood, storm or famine – there are many other ways in which people can help and details of these are also available from the websites and from any of our Aid Agencies. Ireland has always played its part in responding to such major events and in 2011 we remain ready to respond when needed," Minister Martin added.

(DW)