Peace Corps Moving Guyana Volunteers Away From Flooding Areas
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 26, 2005 –11:00 a.m. (EST) In anticipation of continued thunderstorms and flooding in Guyana, the Peace Corps is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its volunteers serving in and around the capital city of Georgetown, Guyana. The Peace Corps is temporarily relocating 25 volunteers from the affected areas to Suriname.
While they are in Suriname, the 25 volunteers will assist currently-serving Suriname volunteers with their work until they can return to their sites in Guyana.
The 27 Peace Corps volunteers in Guyana who are in areas not affected by the flooding will remain at their sites. Peace Corps staff will also remain in Guyana to continue to support the volunteers.
In preparation for possible crisis situations and natural disasters, each Peace Corps program has an Emergency Action Plan specific to that country and developed in cooperation with the Embassy and Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington D.C. The plans are tested frequently and information is updated constantly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in their role and responsibilities in the Emergency Action Plan. Posts are prepared for all emergencies.
Families are encouraged to contact Peace Corps' Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. The Office of Special Services maintains a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week duty system. The telephone number during standard office hours is 1-800-424-8580, Extension 1470; the after hours number is 202-638-2574.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Flooding in Guyana
An official news release from the Peace Corps website:
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4 comments:
I am an volunteer in Guyana right now, but sitting in Suriname waiting for the word to return...crazy weather, there hasn't been anything like this in over a 100 years...anywho, good luck, don't let the flooding stop you, Guyana is a wonderful place!
So far I don't think this means anything... if this was happening a couple months from now, that might be a different story. According to an article in a local newspaper, though, this might be the start of a persistent annual weather pattern. Someone there is calling it "Guynami," a combination of Guyana and tsunami. Clever.
BrokeKid, I poked around your blog, by the way. What do they have you doing in Suriname? It can't be much, can it, since Suriname is Dutch-speaking, right? When do they predict you'll be back in Guyana? Any information you have would be most happily received.
I'm still just as enthused to serve in Guyana. This doesn't change anything. :)
Brian - I am actually work. My regional office is located in Paramaribo so I go into work every day from 8 to 4 pm. Not sure how much longer we will be here. Hopefully not much longer.
Can you give me an idea of what they have you doing? I understand you're working with the PCVs in Suriname, but what kind of office is that?
-Bri
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