Developments
The Return of Volunteers to Service Overseas. To date, Trainees and reinstated Volunteers have returned to nine posts: Zambia, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Namibia, Uganda, Mexico, Ecuador, Eastern Carribbean, and Belize. The Peace Corps anticipates that Volunteers will return to nearly one-third of the total countries where Peace Corps is invited to serve in the coming months. All 32 posts issuing invitations have met the Peace Corps’ robust reentry criteria which involve health, safety, and other logistical factors. Learn more about the agency’s reentry progress and current openings on the Return to Service page.
Reports Outlining Agency Commitments to Equity and Inclusion. Last month, the Peace Corps published three reports that highlighted the agency’s ongoing commitment to Intercultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (ICDEIA). The reports integrate feedback from the Peace Corps network and create specific, actionable, and measurable goals that will guide the future of the Peace Corps. To access the reports, please find the links in the press release.
Full Medical Reimbursements for Eligible Expenses. As of March 2022, Peace Corps applicants can submit all eligible expenses required for medical clearance for full reimbursement. This change was made to eliminate a financial barrier to service and furthers the agency’s commitment to supporting a Volunteer corps that is representative of the U.S. population. Learn what is considered an eligible expense and more about the process on the medical clearance requirements page.
4,000 Peace Corps Response Volunteers. Established in 1996, the Peace Corps Response program coordinates three- to 12-month, targeted assignments for individuals with specialized skill sets, including health practitioners and returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). With the return of Volunteers to Colombia in April, Peace Corps Response reached an exciting milestone of 4,000 Response Volunteers across its nearly 26-year history. Learn more about the program and view current openings on the Peace Corps Responsepage.
Initiative for Global Vaccine Access and Ongoing Response and Recovery Efforts. Globally, Peace Corps is contributing to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including in the eight Peace Corps countries designated as ‘surge’ or priority countries for the U.S. Government’s Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX): Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Staff in other countries have also been integral to response and recovery efforts by collaborating directly with host governments and other partners to assist in public health campaigns. For example, as announced in a press release, staff at Peace Corps/Philippines supported mass vaccination sites, contributing to the vaccination of more than 10,000 Filipinos. Volunteers will also contribute to this work as they begin their service in countries around the world. |
No comments yet.
Add your comment