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Media releases > Global insecurity fears
Global insecurity fears hit volunteer numbers - the real victims of terror are in the developing world warns VSO as it launches urgent recruitment appeal
(20 January 2003)
The world's poorest stand to lose most as security fears escalate and attention is diverted from the suffering of millions in the developing world, warns VSO, the world's largest development charity that works through volunteers.
Since September 11, the number of volunteers recruited from the UK has dropped by 40% - the biggest fall in the charity's 45-year history, VSO announces today. Fear of global insecurity is leaving the charity struggling to recruit the skilled professionals developing countries are crying out for.
If the downward trend continues, up to a third of VSO's placements will remain unfilled in the coming year, leaving many of the poorest communities without the help they need.
VSO's Chief Executive Mark Goldring says,
It's not surprising we are focusing on our own safety and security in the current climate but our attention is being diverted from the world's poorest. What we need is a war on poverty and this is a war we have to win. Poor education and healthcare - not to mention the impact of HIV & AIDS - these are the real battles we should be fighting if we want to ensure global security.
63% of UK professionals admit the international situation is having an effect on their decisions, including travel or holiday plans, according to independent research commissioned by VSO. Yet, in contrast to people's security fears, a VSO survey shows that over 90% of VSO volunteers feel as safe or safer than they do in the UK.
Goldring explains,
We want to reassure people contacting us at the moment. Volunteers live and work in communities, where they are valued and respected by friends and colleagues. These communities need our help and the feedback from volunteers is that they feel as safe or safer than they do at home.
The charity will launch a hard-hitting new recruitment campaign on 20 January that stresses the urgent need for teachers, social workers and health professionals in particular. If that fails VSO will be forced to tell communities and schools who have asked for education and healthcare specialists that they can not supply the volunteers they need, which will have a direct impact on the world's most disadvantaged.
VSO volunteer Andrew Vickery, 36, a finance advisor in Tanzania says,
On a day-to-day basis I feel safer walking around Dar es Salaam than walking around Brighton or London.
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