People interested in careers in rescue work and disaster relief jobs, as well as rescue volunteers are desperately needed all across the globe. With natural disasters hitting hard in many areas, the need for more people to volunteer and accept natural disaster jobs is growing. Join a natural disaster team or just volunteer at one of the many organizations that are striving hard to meet the needs of millions that have been affected.
Natural Disaster Teams
Natural disaster teams such as those of AmeriCares respond to natural and man-made disasters around the world. AmeriCares is known for delivering hospital supplies, bottled water, medicines, and nutritional supplements along with many other items depending on the disaster or crisis. The disaster volunteers and workers of AmeriCares have been providing disaster relief to millions of people affected by natural disasters for more than twenty-seven years.
Whether a seasoned veteran or an undergraduate student hoping for an internship, AmeriCares is always looking for passionate people who will remain dedicated to natural disaster rescue and relief. Some jobs available through AmeriCares include: interns for web content, social media interns, communications, and other project and partnership coordinators.
Of course, there are many disaster volunteer jobs available through free clinics and at the home office in Connecticut. The home office jobs do tend to fill up quicker than work in the field, so be sure to check the website often. There are many community programs that arise throughout the year and volunteers are needed. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists in certain fields are also greatly needed at many of AmeriCares clinics.
Disaster Relief Jobs
When looking for disaster relief jobs or ways to volunteer when a disaster strikes, Volunteers for Prosperity (VfP) has many opportunities for individuals and groups. VfP requires disaster volunteers to be U.S. Citizens, eighteen years old or older, and have at least three years experience in the field in which they are volunteering.
VfP also has partners around the globe seeking help in categories such as agriculture, education, health, economic growth, and many more. VfP partners are in need of disaster volunteers in the regions of Asia, Africa, Middle East, Caribbean, Russia, and many others. The Volunteers for Prosperity website contains a search engine that can pair disaster volunteers with the type of work they will be best suited for. Included in the volunteer categories are disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Disaster Volunteers
Most international natural disaster relief organizations are in need of volunteers to help aid in recent natural disasters. One such group is Christian Aid. Volunteers are involved with things such as: teaching, speaking, event-work, media, and so on. Volunteers will receive training through Christian Aid which is based in the UK. Christian Aid does offer tours of disaster stricken countries to allow volunteers to experience firsthand the devastation that surrounds us all.
Convoy of Hope is another organization that relies on volunteers during times of natural disasters. The organization works closely with churches throughout the region to help deliver needed supplies, help in the removal of debris, and communication services. One of the natural disaster teams with Convoy of Hope is known as Convoy of Hope's Amateur Radio Response Service (C.A.R.R.S.).
Often times when faced with natural disasters, communications will be lost. It is in these critical times that C.A.R.R.S. is ready and willing to communicate needed messages through radios to reach the help they need. Many of these amateur radio enthusiasts have worked closely together with 911 and the National Weather Service. Individuals wishing to volunteer for this type of service need to pass a test and have access to a radio.
Natural Disaster Teams
Joining a natural disaster team is one way to be involved when disasters arise. A program called The Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) is a great way to help locally and abroad. The CERT teams are trained in basic medical operations, light rescue work, fire safety, and emergency disaster response.
Natural disaster teams like CERT are ready when a disaster strikes. These are the teams that are first and foremost at the site ready, willing, and able to help. More often than not, the CERT teams arrive at the disaster site long before professional teams have even been notified of their needed assistance.
Choose a disaster relief job that best suits the capabilities of each individual. Many people are good with hands-on field work while others work better behind the scenes. Either way, volunteers are needed worldwide. With a little knowledge and know-how, finding work that will suit any individual is just a matter of a little investigation.
Other Organizations Needing Disaster Volunteers
- American Rescue Team International
- Amateur Radio Relay League
- CAFOD
- CARE
- Christian Disaster Response International
- Episcopal Relief and Development
- International Rescue Committee
- Mennonite Disaster Service
- Nazarene Disaster Response
- Project HOPE
- Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- World Relief
Sources:
“Career Opportunities”, AmeriCares, AmeriCares.org (accessed March 14, 2011).
“CERT”, Community Emergency Response Teams, CitizenCorps.gov (accessed March 13, 2011).
“Ways to Get Involved”, Christian Aid, Christian Aid.org.uk (accessed March 15, 2011).
“Volunteer”, Convoy of Hope, ConvoyofHope.org (accessed March 16, 2011).
Annette Phillips - Annette Phillips is the Topic Editor for Natural Disasters. Phillips is also the author of Willow's Ride and a licensed Cosmetologist.
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