Volunteer Disaster Management Project in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

  Jamaica

Mandeville

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: The Disaster Management Project in Jamaica involves volunteering with the St Elizabeth Parish Council Disaster Coordinator. The project is open to volunteers taking a gap year, career break, or even a volunteer holiday. You do not need any specific experience to volunteer on this project; however you are expected to have a strong interest in the field of disaster management and a real desire to help the individuals and communities affected by disasters.

This project would be particularly suitable to any volunteers with geography, physical planning, international development, urban planning, disaster management, environmental science or psychology backgrounds. The project would also be appropriate for anyone wanting to gain experience or those already with training, in the fields of international development, aid and relief work, or those looking to work in charity or governmental sectors.

* Disaster Management Volunteering in Jamaica

Disasters whether natural or man-made can severely set back the development of a country. The country can be negatively affected in terms of its economic, physical and social infrastructures. While many disasters cannot be prevented, planning how to effectively respond if they occur is increasingly important. The effects especially on the development of poorer countries such as Jamaica and its poorer members of society can be particularly devastating.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management agency (ODPEM) is the agency in Jamaica responsible for disaster management. The agency coordinates regional coordinators who work with parish disaster coordinators from the local government to plan for, mitigate and respond to all types of disasters. Volunteers can be particularly useful in this field as the lack of enough personnel in this area affects the extent to which the country can be prepared in the event of a disaster.

The Disaster Management Project designs programs that address individual and community resilience to disasters especially amongst the most vulnerable sectors of society; this includes children, women, the elderly and the disabled. The project also focuses on helping farmers and fishermen who are often severely affected by disasters.

* Your Role on the Disaster Management Project in Jamaica

The Disaster Management Project is located in St. Elizabeth, forty five minutes from Mandeville. Volunteers are needed to help with educating communities, schools and the business sector about disaster management. Volunteers will provide support to the local staff in a variety of areas depending on your interests and will actively participate in improving disaster management in St. Elizabeth. Volunteers work with the parish disaster coordinator to undertake a number of tasks including:

- Public education awareness campaigns to foster a culture of respect for the environment
- Making public education programs on disaster management
- Helping to train students, teachers, business people, community groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), farmers and fishermen in basic disaster management
- Developing evacuation plans and planning/coordinating drills and evacuation strategies
- Conducting research and mapping
- Planning and coordinating workshops and exhibitions in communities to build awareness
- Developing and implementing basic mitigation projects such as community drain cleaning days or basic repair to homes for the poor and helping communities to prepare psychologically to deal with the effects of a disasters

Volunteers will live with local host families in St Elizabeth.

Highlights: Volunteers in Jamaica are spoiled for choice in terms of travel opportunities, both at the weekends or after volunteering. The Milk River Bath is a popular day trip from Mandeville, this natural hot spring is renowned for its healing powers, and is a relaxing way to spend the day after a busy week at work.
Jamaican beach

Further a field literally hundreds of paradise beaches await, with added attractions at places like Ocho Rios, home to the aptly named Eden Falls, where you can tube or raft down the river. Water sports like diving and snorkeling are popular around the entire coast or lie back in a hammock and sample a classic Jamaican rum cocktail.

Finally, no experience of Jamaica is complete without experiencing the vibrant music scene. Strains of Jamaica's most famous citizen, Bob Marley will undoubtedly follow you everywhere on the island and spectacular music festivals take place throughout the year.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Jamaica.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Cost in US$: 1,595 pounds and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded, eager to explore, help, and learn.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Jamaica Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992