States News Service
August 11, 2008 Monday
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS IN GEORGIA SAFELY RELOCATED TO ARMENIA
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the Peace Corps:
Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter announced today that all Volunteers
and trainees serving in the Republic of Georgia are safe, and they
have been temporarily relocated to neighboring Armenia.
The decision to relocate the Volunteers is due to the ongoing conflict
taking place in the South Ossetia region of Georgia and bordering
areas. All 36 Peace Corps Volunteers and 49 Peace Corps
Volunteer-trainees serving in Georgia are safe. Personnel from Peace
Corps/Georgia, as well as Peace Corps/Armenia, are now supporting the
Volunteers.
The Peace Corps/Georgia office is still open in Tbilisi, and is
constantly and carefully monitoring this situation along with Peace
Corps Headquarters in Washington. Peace Corps Volunteers do not serve
in South Ossetia, the separatist region located in the north of
Georgia along its border with Russia.
The Peace Corps program in Georgia was established in 2001. Since that
time more than 275 Volunteers have served there. The 85 Volunteers and
Volunteer-trainees currently serving in Georgia are working in English
language education, business and social entrepreneurship programs.
The safety and security of Volunteers and Volunteer-trainees is the
number one priority of the Peace Corps. Each Peace Corps program has
an Emergency Action Plan specific to that country and developed in
cooperation with Peace Corps Washington and the local
U.S. Embassy. The plans are evaluated and tested frequently and
information is updated constantly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained
in their roles and responsibilities, and posts are prepared for all
emergencies.
Families may contact the Peace Corps/Georgia Desk with any questions
or concerns that may have at 202-692-2423 during business hours, and
the Office of Special Services after hours. The Office of Special
Services maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system. The
telephone number during standard office hours is 1-800-424-8580,
Extension 1470; the after hours number is 202-638-2574. The Office of
Special Services can also be contacted via e-mail at
ossdutyofficer@peacecorps.gov
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-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, including the Republic of Georgia. Peace Corps Volunteers must
be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is
a 27-month commitment.