FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 8, 2009

Peace Corps Guinea Volunteers Safely Evacuated to Mali

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 2009

As a precautionary measure in response to the current situation in Guinea, all Peace Corps Guinea volunteers have been successfully evacuated overland to Mali. All Peace Corps Guinea volunteers are safe and accounted for and will participate in training activities while in Mali.

Peace Corps has been working with the U.S. Embassy in Conakry and is continuing to closely monitor security conditions in Guinea.

While Peace Corps hopes to return volunteers to their sites in Guinea as soon as possible, the safety and security of the volunteers remains the Agencys highest priority.

Each Peace Corps program has an Emergency Action Plan specific to that country and developed in cooperation with Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 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 of volunteers are encouraged to contact Peace Corps Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. The Office of Special Services maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system, and can be reached at 800.424.8580 (select 2, then 1, then ext. 1470) or 202.692.1470.

Over 1,200 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Guinea since the program was established in 1962. Peace Corps Guinea volunteers have worked in the areas of education, environment, small enterprise development, and public health and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Over 2,600 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Mali since the program was established in 1971. Volunteers in this West African nation work in the areas of education, environmental and agricultural conservation, health and HIV/AIDS awareness, water sanitation and hygiene promotion, and business development. Business development Volunteers provide training and counseling regarding feasibility studies, marketing surveys, inventory control, accounting, and product pricing. Currently, 154 Peace Corps volunteers serve in Mali.

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