Time to volunteer for Haiti earthquake will come; right now, victims need experts
By Joshua Wilwohl / josh@theklaxon.com / 01.19.2010
Updated on: 01.21.10 at 9:46 pm
Justin Stumberg/DVIDS
When disaster hits, the volunteers pour in.
The earthquake in Haiti is no different.
The problem, though, that many do not realize is—despite every reflex to do good—people are not trained, developed or well-prepared to deal with emergencies and disasters.
In the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake that hit the impoverished island nation Jan. 12, an outpouring of support came in all forms—people asking how to adopt children to get them out of the country, people suiting up and ready to take flight and people donating whatever they could.
What some ordinary citizens don’t realize, however, is that despite all their generosity, such actions take time.
And organizations just don’t need the untrained volunteers. They actually do more harm than good.
One of the top 10 disaster myths compiled by Business Roundtable Partnership in Disaster Relief is that “outside volunteers are urgently needed.”
The reality, according to the organization, is “The need for outside volunteers is usually limited to professionals with specialized skills and previous disaster experience. In spite of their good intentions, volunteers without those skills can often do more harm than good to the relief effort by monopolizing transportation, translators and other services required by the skilled professionals on the scene. In some cases, relief agencies need volunteer help in their local centers or offices (answering telephones, processing donations, etc.). You may wish to check with your local Red Cross or United Way to see what services are needed.”
Twenty-four hours after the Haiti earthquake struck, the American Red Cross in Greater New York released an e-mail to staff informing them, “We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti.”
This, however, should in no way be a deterrent for those wanting to help or to provide support.
It should instead be a reality check. Volunteers that are needed in disasters, such as the Haiti earthquake, are well-trained in specific fields such as medical personnel, city police, fire or emergency management agency personnel trained in areas of interest and Creole interpreters.
It is frustrating for those who feel they have so much to give.
There will be a time in several months when the specialists no longer are needed in the extreme and nongovernmental organizations will take over the laboring oar. That will be the time to volunteer.
Until then, contact a local NGO and ask to participate in their training programs for volunteers. Right now, Haitians need the well-trained, hands-on experts.
For more information on volunteer efforts in Haiti, click here.
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