Rotarians undertaking volunteer service overseas should undertake an assessment of the activity and the country prior to departure to mitigate the risk to person and property.
Volunteers should register travel plans with www.safetravel.govt.nz in advance of leaving New Zealand.
Volunteer Insurance is available from RNZWCS. Rotarians are still travelling overseas having taken leisure cover from a travel agent or other source which most often excludes all cover arising out of paid or volunteer work. Further detail to be found at http://www.rnzwcs.org/resources/ Inquiries to info@rnzwcs.org
Whilst Rotary Clubs overseas would not knowingly expose volunteers to hazards, nevertheless there are many instances recorded where a volunteer has been ill prepared to avoid such.
Often the activity is in a remote area where in the event of an emergency, there is little or no medical facilities available and transportation to the nearest medical centre may not be available for a lengthy period.
In addition, there are external risks (robbery, assault, hazardous poorly lit accommodation, lack of hygiene and sanitation, food poisoning, poorly maintained vehicles and driving standards etc) all requiring vigilance in terms of personal security and health.
Volunteers being accompanied by acquaintances, family or friends is discouraged, due to the risk of them being seriously assaulted or suffering from an occurrence whilst being alone whilst the volunteer is on site.
Volunteers should avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with Youth and Vulnerable Persons wherever possible.
http://www.rnzwcs.org/resources/ contains valuable information under the Code of Conduct heading which backgrounds the various vulnerabilities volunteers may be exposed to.
