Urgent need for specialised volunteers on Lesvos, Greece
ORGANIZATION: Indigo Volunteers
Please visit the new page to apply.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
On 8th September 2020, there was a large fire in Moria camp on Lesvos. This fire coincides with the multiple confirmed Covid-19 cases within the camp. Our partners in Lesvos are currently responding to this emergency and continuously adapting to new circumstances.
Indigo is now recruiting specialised volunteers to support our partner organisations. We encourage all prospective volunteers to understand and consider the potential risks that come with this potential volunteer placement (see below).
RESPONSIBILITIESDue to the nature of the situation on Lesvos it is hard to specify what your day-to-day work will look like. It may vary depending on the day and the current needs of our partner organisations and people within the camp. You will be assigned to carry out those tasks that best match your skills and experience
RISKS TO CONSIDER
1. Increased tensions and potential security issues
The fire has triggered even more tensions and hostility aimed at the NGOs that work with the residents of Moria Camp. You must be aware of these tensions before you volunteer and adhere to the safety protocol of the organisation you will volunteer at. Visit Europe Must Act for regular updates. https://www.europemustact.org/
2. Heightened risk of contracting Covid-19
Cases of Covid-19 in Lesvos may rise so please be aware that volunteering may increase the risk to Covid-19. With this also comes extra responsibility in how you conduct yourself socially.
The increasing number of cases in Lesvos also means that there is the risk of a potential lockdown. You must be able to financially support yourself in this instance and also be aware that you may have to stay on the island for longer than you had anticipated.
For more information regarding travelling and volunteering during Covid-19, please read this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13YomKpNIqJiqRMW9UutGv6TqMDm-FhfqcuK5Tkdk3KQ/edit .
3. High-stress environment
With the heightened tensions and increasing Covid-19 cases, Lesvos is currently a stressful working environment in which you will need to be very adaptable. You must be flexible as organisations are not operating with their normal schedules. As days off are likely to be sporadic and not guaranteed, it is very important that you are able to take care of your physical and mental wellbeing during your placement.
REQUIREMENTS
Essential:
- 25 years old or older
- Logistics / distribution experience
- Adaptability in an ever-changing environment and remaining calm under stress
- Exceptional communication and ability to work in a team
- Strong physical and mental health
- Able to commit to a minimum time of 1-month (excl. quarantine time) in Lesvos
- Ability to proactively manage own self-care and wellbeing
Desired:
- Previous experience volunteering in a similar context, i.e a refugee camp or crisis management
- Previous experience volunteering in the Aegean Islands
- Good understanding of Lesvos and knowledge about the wider situation in the Aegean islands/European migration route
- Technical/handyman/engineering skill set
- Full driving licence
HOW TO APPLY
If you’d like to apply, you can do so here : https://indigovolunteers.secure.force.com/register?team=refugeeandmigrant∨igin=indigo
Please apply for this position only if you fulfil the requirements and if you are able to source a VISA independently. Unfortunately, Indigo cannot help you to obtain a VISA.
More opportunities with Indigo Volunteers
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Indigo Volunteers
Location:
17, The Grove, Clacton on Sea Essex, Essex, Essex CO15 1TJ, GB
Mission Statement
Indigo Volunteers is a charity that recruits volunteers and connects them with humanitarian projects along the European refugee route. We provide a straightforward, fee-free matchmaking service, placing people where they are needed most. On our travels we have found that small grassroots organisations often do not have the time or resources to find volunteers that keep their projects running. Conversely, people who want to volunteer often don’t know where to start, and find it difficult to identify a legitimate project where their talents are really needed. Our aim is to remove these hurdles and create the connections that enable charities to keep going and focus on their objectives.
Description
Indigo was founded to challenge the exploitative practices of for-profit volunteering agencies that charge extortionate fees and seem primarily concerned with selling exotic experiences, rather than considering their actual impact. We want to ensure that volunteering remains true to its core humanitarian purpose: we believe in people helping people, and partner with grassroots charities that are positively dedicated to support communities coping with poverty, displacement and inequality.
We further support projects by advising on volunteer management, facilitating training opportunities and sharing knowledge and resources. As an umbrella organisation, closely collaborating with many different humanitarian actors, Indigo always endeavours to create connections and strengthen ties throughout the independent aid sector.
We partner with projects across the globe, currently with a focus on organisations working along the European refugee route, where urgent help is most needed.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
LesvosLesvos, Greece
DATE POSTED
September 21, 2020
SKILLS
- First Aid / CPR
- Warehouse Equipment Operations
- Inventory Management
- Disaster Response
- Organization
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Must be at least 25
- The minimum time commitment for this placement is 1 month (excluding quarantine)