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Peace Corps Announces "Peace Corps Response"

Crisis Corps enhanced to better reflect breadth and depth of program

Washington, D.C., November 19, 2007 - Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter announced today a new Peace Corps program called the Peace Corps Response. This program, formerly known as Crisis Corps, is the result of an ongoing effort by the agency to broaden the scope and skills of this important department. The Crisis Corps title will be retained as a unique branch within Peace Corps Response, designed for Volunteers who are deployed to true “crisis” situations, such as disaster relief following hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and other catastrophes.

Director Tschetter said, "The name Peace Corps Response does a better job of capturing what our Volunteers do, from HIV/AIDS activities and humanitarian assistance to natural disaster reconstruction projects. These Volunteers work in crisis situations but they also work in countries addressing critical needs in areas such as education and technology."

The title Peace Corps Response better reflects the work of this important department and allows it to broaden its five programming areas to include projects that do not necessarily rise to the level of a crisis. Peace Corps Response also better captures the diverse backgrounds and skills that Volunteers bring to the program. Additionally, the term “crisis” has not always resonated well with possible host-countries and partnering organizations, resulting in impeding the development of some much needed assignments.

As part of the change, the Peace Corps is introducing a Peace Corps Response website and new video which can be found at Peace Corps Response section of the Peace Corps website. There you will find information on available positions as well as answers to frequently asked questions and information about past projects.

Peace Corps Volunteers who have completed their Peace Corps service are eligible to apply for Peace Corps Response and serve short-term assignments at any time following their regular Peace Corps service. Peace Corps Response Volunteers will provide professional assistance in projects related to disaster response, humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and mitigation, post-conflict reconstruction and HIV/AIDS activities, among others. Since 1996, Peace Corps has fielded over 1,000 Volunteers for this department in more than 40 countries, including 74 Volunteers who helped communities rebuild in Sri Lanka and Thailand after the tsunami in 2004, and 272 Volunteers who served along the Gulf coast following Hurricane Katrina.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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